Opinion ID: 2341788
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: count one: failure to comply with requirements for the handling of advance fees

Text: 18. Effective January 1, 1999, Rule 1.5(f) states that a lawyer may require the client to pay some or all of the fee in advance of the lawyer undertaking the representation, provided that: (1) the lawyer shall provide the client with a written statement that the fee is refundable if It is not earned, (2) the written statement shall state the basis under which the fees shall be considered to have been earned, whether in whole or in part, and (3) all unearned fees shall be retained in the lawyer's trust account, with statement of the fees earned provided to the client at the time such funds are withdrawn from the trust account. 19. By depositing unearned advance fees received after January 1, 1999 into his operating account, rather than the general escrow account, the Respondent violated Rule 1.5(f).