RHODE ISLAND BAR ASSOCIATION LAWYER'S FUND FOR CLIENT REIMBURSEMENT
The Rhode Island Bar Association's Client Reimbursement fund was established to provide a public service and to promote confidence in the administration of justice and the integrity of the legal profession by providing some measure of reimbursement to victims who have lost money or property because of theft or misappropriation by a Rhode Island attorney, and occurring in Rhode Island during the course of a client-attorney relationship. The Rhode Island Bar Association, through a committee, administers the Fund. The Fund is funded by annual contributions made by attorneys who are members of the Rhode Island Bar Association.
Not all losses are compensable by the Fund. A loss must have occurred while the attorney was providing legal services or while the attorney was serving in what is known as a fiduciary capacity, such as a trustee, guardian, conservator, etc. You must file your claim within one year of when you became aware of the theft or misappropriation or from the date when the attorney was publicly disciplined. Please read and review the rules careful before submitted a claim form to the Rhode Island Bar Association.
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NOTE
This piece is produced as a public service by the Rhode Island Bar
Association and intended to provide background information. This is not a
substitute for legal advice and representation by a licensed attorney of the
Rhode Island Bar.