|
|
The National Client Protection Organization (NCPO) recognized Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer of the Supreme Court of Ohio today for demonstrated excellence in the field of law client protection.
The announcement was made by NCPO President John S. Gleason at the American Bar Association’s 24th National Forum on Client Protection in Boston. Chief Justice Moyer received the fifth annual Isaac Hecht Law Client Protection Award, which is named for the long-time trustee of the Clients’ Security Fund of the Bar of Maryland and an 18-year member of the ABA Standing Committee on Client Protection, who died in 2003. Janet Green Marbley, administrator for the Supreme Court’s Clients’ Security Fund, chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Client Protection and past president of NCPO, accepted the award today on Moyer’s behalf.
In her nomination of Chief Moyer, Marbley wrote that “Chief Justice Moyer has always been an outspoken advocate for law client protection. Examples include his leadership in adding to the Court’s disciplinary orders a requirement that the respondent reimburse the Clients’ Security Fund (CSF) for any amounts awarded to the respondent’s former clients; his support for two rule changes increasing the maximum award amount payable to CSF claimants; and his continued willingness to ensure that the Court provides adequate funding to the CSF to support its mission and goals.”
The Supreme Court established the Clients’ Security Fund in 1985 to provide assistance to clients who have been financially harmed by the dishonest conduct of a licensed Ohio attorney. While most lawyers observe high standards of integrity when entrusted with clients’ money and property, the dishonest acts of a few can affect the public’s image of and confidence in all legal professionals. The fund’s goal is to restore public confidence in the legal profession by reimbursing law clients for losses sustained as a result of the dishonest conduct of their attorney. Since its inception the fund has reimbursed more than $12 million to 1,567 former law clients.
“I’m honored to be recognized with an award named for a giant in America’s legal profession who believed that the trust of law clients is essential in every lawyer-client relationship,” Chief Justice Moyer said.
NCPO’s Board of Directors selects award recipients after working with a nominating committee that seeks recommendations from interested professional organizations throughout the United States and Canada.
In its award announcement, the NCPO noted that “by every measure, Chief Justice Moyer has demonstrated ‘excellence’ in the fields of lawyer professionalism and law client protection. NCPO honors the memory and legacy of Issac Hecht by honoring this distinguished American judge with the Hecht Award 2008.”
For a print-quality, high resolution image of Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer, please visit: http://www.supremecourtofohio.gov/Communications_Office/Press_Releases/images/justices/moyer_highres.zip.
Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow at 614.387.9250.