The Oklahoma Bar Association Clients’ Security Fund will pay more than $276,000 to 69 people who lost money or other property from the dishonest conduct of their attorney. The association is reimbursing money to the clients of 15 deceased, suspended or former lawyers whose dishonest actions led to the losses.

OBA President Miles Pringle of Oklahoma City said, “The Clients’ Security Fund was established to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the legal profession. The fund returns lost money to those who have become the victims of former lawyers who violated that trust through dishonest acts. Members of our association collectively assume responsibility for those losses in order to restore faith in our profession’s integrity.”

Claims against the fund result when an attorney misappropriates client funds or property, then is disbarred, suspended or dies, and there is no other source for compensation or recovery.

The OBA Clients’ Security Fund Committee reviews client claims and annually makes recommendations to the OBA Board of Governors on the merits of those claims. Committee Chair Micheal Salem of Norman said claims typically arise when these former attorneys become unstable as a result of a personal crisis, substance abuse or illness and fail to follow the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct regarding the safeguarding of client funds or property.

“The reputation of every Oklahoma lawyer suffers when a very small number of attorneys engage in unethical or illegal behavior,” Salem said. “That is why all active Oklahoma lawyers contribute to the fund through a portion of their annual bar dues. Since the fund was created in 1965, more than $4.2 million in reimbursements has been paid to clients.”

Former or deceased attorneys for whom the OBA will be paying claims are: Mike Arnett, Oklahoma City, deceased; Mark Bailey, Oklahoma City; Joseph Bufogle, Tulsa, deceased; Kimberly Clark, Tahlequah; Melinda Dunlap, Okmulgee, deceased; Raphael Glapion, Midwest City; Chad Greer, Tulsa; Lee Griffin, Centerton, Arkansas; Jeff Herrick, McAlester, deceased; William Jefferson, Edmond; Ronald Kaufman, Tulsa; Thomas Mortensen, Tulsa; John Parris, Sand Springs; Chadwick Richardson, Tulsa; and Jason Smith, Jay.

More information about the Clients’ Security Fund can be found on the OBA website at www.okbar.org/gc/clients- security-fund.