What duty does a lawyer have regarding a client's property?

A lawyer has a fundamental duty to safeguard a client's property and to hold it separate from their own property. This obligation arises from the ethical principle that lawyers must act in the best interests of their clients and take appropriate measures to protect their property, which includes money, documents, and other belongings. By doing so, a lawyer not only fulfills their fiduciary duty but also complies with the rules of professional conduct that require the careful handling and accounting of client funds and property.

The requirement to keep client property separate is crucial to maintaining trust in the lawyer-client relationship. If a lawyer were to use client property for personal gain, that would constitute a breach of ethics and trust, leading to serious consequences including disciplinary action. Similarly, transferring client property to another client without explicit permission would violate the duty to act in the best interests of the original client and would not align with the requirement to safeguard that property. Finally, ignoring or failing to acknowledge client property during representation would be a neglect of the lawyer's responsibilities and could result in harm to the client, potentially leading to professional misconduct.

Overall, the duty to safeguard and properly handle a client's property is essential to maintaining the integrity of the legal profession and protecting the rights and interests of clients.