Tackling Imbalances in Multi-Year Escrow Reconciliation
Expert Solutions for Navigating the Challenges of Escrow Account Discrepancies
At Law Ledgers, we understand the unique financial challenges that legal professionals face, particularly when managing client funds in escrow accounts. One such…
Identifying and Avoiding The Counterfeit Check Scam
The legal community is not immune to the ever-present threat of fraud, and lawyers must remain vigilant in identifying and avoiding transactions that may involve counterfeit checks. This is the key message of the 2021 Formal Ethics Opinion…
Can A Lawyer Delegate The Authority To Sign Escrow Checks?
The question of whether an attorney is permitted to delegate the responsibility of signing escrow checks to a bookkeeper is a complex one. On one hand, attorneys have a professional obligation to ensure that they exercise due diligence and…
Zero Trust Law Firm Accounting
The traditional approach to security in law firms, where perimeter defenses such as firewalls and antivirus software are used, is no longer enough to protect against the ever-evolving threat landscape.
"Zero trust" is quickly becoming a…
The PLLC Publication Requirement
New York's PLLC publication requirement is a relic from a bygone era when newspaper ads and announcements were the only way to ensure that the public had notice of new companies setting up shop. But despite the changes in technology and the…
Escrow vs. IOLA Accounts: What’s The Difference?
A common question that befuddles New York attorneys is what exactly is the difference between an escrow account and an "IOLA"?
New York attorneys are often entrusted with managing client funds, such as settlement proceeds, that are…
SCOTUS: Lawyers can only be overtime-exempt if paid a true salary.
In Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc., et al. v. Hewitt, the Supreme Court held that high-earning professionals such as lawyers can only be overtime-exempt if paid a salary. The question of whether a high-earning employee works on a "salary"…
Maximizing Tax Benefits For Lawyers: 2023 Developments in Tax Law
With the multitude of recent changes in tax laws and regulations, it is more essential than ever for lawyers to stay informed and proactive in their tax planning strategies in order to have any chance at maximizing tax benefits. From choosing…
Failure To Supervise Bookkeepers Leads To Suspension
On February 15, 2023, the Appellate Division for the Second Department decided the most recent case concerning escrow account mismanagement. The Court imposed a three-year suspension on an attorney who failed to safeguard funds held in escrow…