July 2000

Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection

The Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection Committee meets quarterly to review applications for gifts from the Fund. The Committee is authorized to make gifts of up to $3,000 to qualified applicants. On applications for more than $3,000, the Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Governors, who are the Fund's trustees. At their meeting on May 12, 2000, the Committee took the following action:

• Charles D. Fornero (WSBA No. 20971, Seattle; disbarred) – In 1998, the Committee approved a payment regarding Mr. Fornero for $930. In this case, Fornero misappropriated estate funds from the sale of real property. The estate subsequently obtained judgment against Fornero, who has disappeared. The Committee approved payment of $3,988.
• Richard A. Jackson (WSBA No. 5675, Renton; disbarred) – Jackson abandoned his practice in November 1997, after removing nearly all client funds from his trust account. On February 10, 2000 he pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree theft. The Committee approved seven applications concerning Jackson:

  • $6,000 misappropriated from a dissolution client who had paid the funds to Jackson to transfer to the client's former wife's lawyer;
  • $3,000 misappropriated in an earnest money transaction;
  • $520.30 advance fee payment neither repaid nor accounted for;
  • $1,200 advance fee payment neither repaid nor accounted for;
  • $750 advance fee payment neither repaid nor accounted for;
  • $4,336.65 misappropriated dissolution settlement funds;
  • $9,365.10 misappropriated estate funds.

• Brad A. Plumb (WSBA No. 20337, Spokane; disbarred) – The Committee approved payment of $2,000 paid to Plumb as an advance fee for which no services were performed, and the funds were neither repaid nor accounted for.

The Committee considered an additional 13 applications which were denied on the basis that they were fee disputes, claims for malpractice, or because, in two instances, restitution had been made. Visit the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection homepage at www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/lawyersfund/.The Committee chair is Seattle attorney Barbara Selberg. WSBA General Counsel Robert Welden is staff liaison to the Committee.

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