Client Trust Account Compliance: Exploring Compliance and Fiduciary Responsibilities for Attorneys in Californi

The case study sought to understand attorney behavior and accounting protocols relative to compliance factors of the State Bar of California Rules of Professional Conduct 4-100 and California Business Professional Code §6000 et seq. The research problem for this study was attorney compliance with California laws in client trust accounting. The purpose of the case study was to explore and analyze compliance factors for attorneys and other stakeholders with the California State Bar Rule of Professional Conduct 4-100 and California's Business Professional Code §6000 et seq. A single qualitative research study was conducted to understand how ethical behavior and compliance factors impacted accounting protocols and principles relative to the safekeeping of client property. The study further explored attorney and stakeholder experiences relative to client trust account compliance. It is trust, by which client trust accounting is derived, and compliance, which are the principles and guidelines published by the State Bar of California. The results and findings of the case study questioned the experiences and accounting practices performed by attorneys and other stakeholders, which had a significant impact on disbarment and fraud related activity relative to safekeeping client property. The study has provided various solutions to assist attorneys and other stakeholders in compliance with client trust accounting. The findings emphasized attorney fiduciary responsibility in the administration and implementation of accounting practices and protocols within law firms. Building trust and acting on ethical principles when safekeeping client property provided an opportunity for both attorneys and stakeholders to learn from each other and understand the importance of compliance in client trust accounting.