The Supreme Court of Alabama approved changes to the Rules of Professional Conduct mandating that as of January 1, 2008, lawyers must keep all IOLTA eligible funds (nominal or short-term funds of clients or third persons) in a desig-nated IOLTA account.
The rule change was presented to the Court by Sam Crosby, president of the State Bar, at an admin-istrative hearing on September 25, 2007. It had received a unanimous recommendation from the Bar Commissioners earlier in the summer. The Court's order makes Alabama the 34th state in the nation to have a mandatory IOLTA program and it is expected to result in a significant increase in funds received from the IOLTA program.
The Alabama Civil Justice Foundation is one of two IOLTA foundation programs authorized by the Court to receive IOLTA funds. The choice of an IOLTA designee is up to individual lawyers and law firms.
For the past fifteen (15) years, the ACJF has used its IOLTA funds to provide assistance to some of the most effective state and community- based charitable organizations assisting Alabama’s needy citizens; especially our disadvantaged, disabled and at-risk families and children. Over $6 million in grants have reached every county in the state in strategic and meaningful ways.
The Amendment adopted by the Court included additional changes to Rule 1.15. The full text (that in-dicates the changes adopted by the Court) can be found by
clicking here.
COURT MANDATES CHANGE TO IOLTA RULES - September 27, 2007
The Alabama Civil Justice Foundation awarded a $75,000 grant to support a public awareness campaign aimed at protecting Alabama’s senior citizens from Medicare Fraud. Joining the ACJF as the sponsor of this Campaign is the Alabama Association for Justice. (click to continue article)
