With few exceptions, California lawyers must comply with the following new State Bar of California requirements regarding the Client Trust Account Protection Program, the bar announced by email Jan. 6:
- Lawyers must register their client trust accounts, including IOLTA, annually with the State Bar either individually or through their law firm or organization.
- Lawyers must complete an annual self-assessment of client trust account management practices.
- Lawyers must certify with the bar that they understand and comply with requirements and prohibitions applicable to the safekeeping of funds and property of clients and other people in Rule 1.15 of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
For 2023, the bar will not impose penalties for failure to comply with CTAPP requirements until April 2, but the reporting deadline is the same as the deadline for paying annual State Bar license fees: Feb. 1.
The self-assessment questions are previewed here.
Frequently asked questions are here.
For more information contact ctapp@calbar.ca.gov or 888-505-5208.
