Maine Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection

The Maine Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection was created by an Order of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, dated July 1, 1997. The purpose of the Fund is to promote public confidence in the administration of justice and the integrity of the legal profession, by reimbursing clients who suffer losses caused by an attorney’s dishonest conduct. Generally, such conduct involves the misuse of funds in the care of the attorney or the misappropriation of amounts for the attorney’s personal benefit. The Fund was not designed to address losses caused by legal malpractice and no amounts are payable to clients for such activity.

The Fund is administered by a Board of seven trustees, appointed by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, including five lawyers and two non-lawyers, all of whom serve for three-year terms. All claims made to the Fund are investigated by Bar Counsel of the Board of Overseers, who formally notifies the lawyer against whom the claim is made, considers all the information, and makes a report and recommendation to the Trustees who then decide on the disposition of the claim.

For more information, please contact us at the address and phone number below:

Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection
P.O. Box 527
Augusta, ME 04332-5084
Phone 207-623-7801