Debt, Credit & Consumer Protection · Surprise rank #68
Lawyer Stole Your Money? NY's Client Protection Fund Can Reimburse Up to $450,000
The Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection reimburses qualifying losses caused by dishonest conduct of lawyers admitted to practice in New York.
Who
Clients and other eligible claimants who lost money or property because of dishonest conduct by a New York-admitted lawyer.
What to do
Start here: File a claim with the Lawyers' Fund, document the attorney relationship and loss and report the misconduct to appropriate authorities where required.
Eligibility: The loss must fit the Fund's dishonest-conduct rules and generally be claimed within two years after discovery of the loss. Malpractice, negligence, ordinary fee disputes and consequential damages are not covered.
What you get
A no-fee reimbursement process for money or property lost through covered attorney theft, misappropriation, fraud or conversion in the practice of law.
Benefit: Up to $450,000 per client loss under the Fund's current maximum.
Possible value: Up to the proven reimbursable loss, capped at $450,000 per client loss.
Good to know
Important: The Fund generally waits until the lawyer has been disbarred or otherwise finally disciplined before paying eligible claims. It is not malpractice insurance.
Availability: Active
Why people miss it: Victims may assume an insolvent or disbarred lawyer makes recovery impossible and never look for the profession-funded reimbursement system.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026