CLE
Daniel J. Siegel
Daniel J. Siegel Attorney
Leonard Adler
Leonard Adler Green Jobs Network
IOLTA and Fee Agreements Avoiding Common Ethical Pitfalls
IOLTA and Fee Agreements: Avoiding Common Ethical Pitfalls

This program addresses the most common ethical pitfalls attorneys face when managing IOLTA accounts and drafting fee agreements. It will walk through the Model Rules of Professional Conduct that govern trust account handling, explore the distinctions between qualified and non-qualified funds, and examine real-world examples of fee agreement failures. By the end of this session, you will have practical guidance for maintaining compliant IOLTA practices and creating clear, enforceable fee agreements.

Agenda:
  • Overview of Topic and Goals
    • Learning objectives and an overview of session

  • IOLTA Fundamentals & Rule 1.15
    • What IOLTA is
    • Why it matters
    • Model Rules of Professional Conduct governing trust accounts

  • Fund Types & Account Management
    • Qualified vs. non-qualified funds
    • Comingling prohibitions
    • Overdraft notification requirements

  • Fee Agreement Essentials
    • Rules 1.5, 1.4, and 7.1
    • When and why written fee agreements are required
    • Common pitfalls to avoid

  • Best Practices & Special Fee Scenarios
    • Handling flat fees and earned-upon-receipt fees
    • Disengagement letters
    • What to do when things go wrong

  • Q&A (As Time Permits)
Read More
Duration of this webinar: 60 minutes
Originally broadcast: June 17, 2026 10:00 AM PT
Speakers
Daniel J. Siegel

Attorney Daniel J. Siegel is a nationally recognized authority on legal ethics, technology, data protection, cybersecurity, civil litigation, workers’ compensation, and law-practice workflow management. He is the principal of both the Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC and Integrated Technology Services, LLC, where he addresses the complex legal, ethical, and operational issues that frequently challenge lawyers and law firms. Read More ›

Leonard Adler
Leonard Adler CEO
Green Jobs Network

Leonard Adler is the CEO of Green Jobs Network (GJN), a leading online career platform he founded in 2008 that serves individuals and employers in green and climate job sectors such as conservation, sustainability, and clean energy. Read More ›

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits

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Alabama CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Ethics

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2026

Alaska CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Ethics

Earn Credit Until: June 15, 2031

California CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Legal Ethics

Earn Credit Until: June 30, 2028

Delaware CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Enhanced Ethics

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2026

Hawaii CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Ethics

Earn Credit Until: June 15, 2028

Illinois CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Professional Responsibility - Ethics / Civility / Professionalism / Sexual Harassment Prevention

Earn Credit Until: June 15, 2028

Nebraska CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Professional Responsibility

Earn Credit Until: June 16, 2028

New Jersey CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.20 Ethics/Professionalism

Earn Credit Until: June 15, 2027

North Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Ethics

Earn Credit Until: February 28, 2027

Ohio CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Attorney Professional Conduct

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2026

Pennsylvania CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Ethics, Professionalism, or Substance Abuse

Earn Credit Until: June 15, 2028

South Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Legal Ethics/Professional Responsibility

Difficulty: All Levels

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2026

Texas CLE

Status: Pending

Format: On-Demand

Credits: TBD

Earn Credit Until: TBD

Utah CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Ethics

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2026

Vermont CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Ethics

Earn Credit Until: June 16, 2031


This presentation is approved for one hour of Ethics CLE credit in Alabama, one hour of Ethics CLE credit in Alaska, one hour of Legal Ethics CLE credit in California, one hour of Enhanced Ethics CLE credit in Delaware, one hour of Ethics CLE credit in Hawaii, one hour of Professional Responsibility - Ethics / Civility / Professionalism / Sexual Harassment Prevention CLE credit in Illinois, one hour of Professional Responsibility CLE credit in Nebraska, one hour of Ethics CLE credit in North Carolina, one hour of Attorney Professional Conduct CLE credit in Ohio, one hour of Ethics, Professionalism, or Substance Abuse CLE credit in Pennsylvania, one hour of Legal Ethics/Professional Responsibility CLE credit in South Carolina (all levels), one hour of Ethics CLE credit in Utah, and one hour of Ethics CLE credit in Vermont. This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 1.20 hours of total CLE credit. Of these, 1.20 qualify as total hours of credit for Ethics/Professionalism. An application for accreditation of this activity has been submitted to the MCLE Committee of the State Bar of Texas and is pending.

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