This program is eligible for 1 hour of CLE credit in 60-minute states. In 50-minute states, this program is eligible for 1.2 hours of CLE credit. Credit hours are estimated and are subject to each state’s approval and credit rounding rules.
Overview
Lawyers routinely encounter residual, unclaimed, or unidentifiable funds in their IOLTA accounts—often years after a matter has closed. Mishandling those funds can trigger disciplinary exposure, audit problems, and violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct, even where no client harm was intended. This program explains when funds are deemed unclaimed or unidentifiable, the lawyer’s ethical duties to locate owners, required record-keeping, and the proper disposition of funds when owners cannot be identified or located. The program also addresses the interaction between IOLTA rules, escheat laws, trust-account audits, and disciplinary enforcement, offering practical guidance to keep lawyers compliant and protected.
Recorded in April 2026.
Faculty
James Blythe, Esq.
James Blythe joined the IOLTA Board in August of 2015. Prior to joining the IOLTA Board James held several positions with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency involving compliance with various laws and regulations covering federal consumer protection, student loan servicing, as well as information security and privacy. James also volunteers as a pro bono guardianship monitor with the Dauphin County Orphans’ Court. James earned his law degree from Widener University Commonwealth Law School in 2011, graduating cum laude. James holds a bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies from Gannon University, graduating magna cum laude in 2007.
Daniel J. Siegel, Esq.
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. Dan’s practice is multifaceted. He defends attorneys in disciplinary matters, provides professional responsibility and ethics counsel, and serves as appellate counsel in high-stakes matters. He also represents individuals in estate planning, workers’ compensation, and personal injury cases, bringing a deep understanding of both trial and appellate advocacy. A leader in techno-ethics, Dan advises solo, small, and mid-sized law firms on the ethical and practical implications of technology, including cybersecurity, data protection, and the responsible use of emerging tools such as artificial intelligence. He also helps firms and businesses improve efficiency through workflow optimization and paperless office systems. Dan is the author of 16 books, a legal columnist, and a frequent national speaker on ethics, technology, and law practice management. He served as Chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Committee on Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility from 2019 to 2025 and as Co-Chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Technology Committee from 2023 to 2025. He is currently Past-Chair of the American Bar Association’s Law Practice Division. Widely respected for combining practical experience with deep subject-matter expertise, Dan is often called upon to address the most challenging issues facing lawyers today. He can be reached at [email protected].
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Related Courses
Representation of Attorneys in Disciplinary Investigations
- City:
- Start Date:2024-01-11 19:00:00
- End Date:2026-01-11 19:00:00
- Length:
- Level:Intermediate
- Topics:Ethics
$199.00 ProPass
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