| Colorado Attorneys' Fund for Client Protection |
The Colorado Attorneys' Fund for Client Protection was established because the legal profession depends upon the trust of clients. In a very small number of cases where attorneys betray that trust and improperly handle client funds or property, it is important that the legal profession's reputation for honesty be maintained and protected by helping injured clients recover their losses.
The Fund was established by the Colorado Supreme Court to reimburse clients who suffer loss of money or other property from the dishonest conduct of their attorney. The Fund is a remedy of last resort for clients who cannot be repaid from other sources, such as from insurance or from the attorney involved. Claimants are expected to make reasonable efforts to collect from these other sources first.
The Fund is financed by annual assessments of active Colorado attorneys. None of the money in the Fund comes form clients' fees. No tax dollars are used. The voluntary nature of the Fund demonstrates the genuine desire of the Colorado legal professional to compensate clients for the dishonest actions of a few of its members.
The Fund is administered by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Colorado Supreme Court. The Board, which is composed of both attorneys and non-attorneys, serves without compensation as a public service. More information on the Board may be found here.