This seminar on the Professional Rules of Conduct will focus on Rules 1.5 and 1.15, which govern attorney fees, expenses, and the safekeeping of client funds. This session will cover key ethical obligations, including fee agreements, contingent fees, advance payments, and proper management of client trust accounts. We will also examine recent disciplinary cases to highlight common pitfalls and best practices. Whether you're a seasoned attorney or new to the profession, this seminar will provide essential guidance to help you maintain compliance and uphold professional integrity. 

Presenters:

Holly Wolf, Esq.

Ms. Wolf earned her JD from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 1997 and her BA from the University of Dayton in 1994. She currently serves as Bar Counsel for the
Columbus Bar Association. She also served on the CBA’s Certified Grievance Committee prior to assuming the role of Bar Counsel.  Prior to joining the CBA staff, she spent 17 years at Manley Deas Kochalski where she served as Director of Operations for 12 years and Managing Attorney of the Columbus office and Bankruptcy Department prior to assuming her Director role.  Ms. Wolf has extensive experience as a litigator in the areas of creditor’s rights and bankruptcy, in addition to her work in disciplinary investigations and prosecutions.

Kent Markus, Esq.

Mr. Markus earned his JD, with honors, from Harvard Law School and was admitted to practice in Ohio in 1984.  He has worked as Bar Counsel for the Columbus Bar Association for the last 7 years.  Before working at the CBA, he served as a Director of Enforcement and Senior Advisor in the Director’s Office at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Earlier, Markus served as Counselor and Chief Legal Counsel to Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and as a law professor at Capital University Law School. During the administration of President Clinton, he was a senior official at the United States Department of Justice. Markus was also presidentially nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, but his nomination was never voted upon by the U.S. Senate.

1.0 CLE Hours (Professional Conduct)

1.0 NLT Fund

This CLE will be held on Zoom. Login to the website and click the "Register" button to register. You will receive a confirmation email from the Columbus Bar AND an email from Zoom containing information about joining the meeting.