Client trust account maintenance and compliance are critically important, and all Hawaiʻi lawyers who agree to hold money in trust have an ethical obligation to account for every penny as long as the funds remain in their possession. Commingling of funds, poor ledger management, and even basic accounting errors can result in client complaints, audits, and disciplinary action that could lead to suspension or disbarment. And while most attorneys diligently comply with the applicable rules, including Hawaiʻi Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.15, Rules of the Supreme Court of the State of Hawaiʻi Rule 11, and the Hawaiʻi Rules Governing Trust Accounting , client trust accounting violations comprise a growing number of disciplinary complaints.
The Hawaiʻi CTA School is a four-hour program offered by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (“ODC”) that addresses the correct method for maintaining and administering client trust accounts, including an Interest on Lawyer Trust Account (“IOLTA”). Any attorneys and law firm staff who handle trust account funds are encouraged to attend. The Hawaiʻi CTA School is offered several times per year and takes place at the ODC offices in Honolulu and remotely via Zoom webinar for neighbor island participants.
The Hawaiʻi CTA School program is held over two sessions each lasting two hours. Materials for the class include a CTA Manual and a PowerPoint presentation. A 25-question test will also be provided to all participants.
There is no fee for the course, and four hours of CLE credit are available to HSBA-licensed attorneys. Register for updates regarding all upcoming Hawaiʻi CTA School sessions and other ODC news below.