Three named to Client Protection Fund Commission

TOPEKA—The Supreme Court today announced the appointment of three new members of the Client Protection Fund Commission, a panel established in 1993 to consider claims by clients who suffer economic loss as a result of dishonest actions by Kansas lawyers.

Created in 1993, the fund has repaid clients a collective $797,226 for losses they incurred as a result of attorney malfeasance. Financed by lawyers from an annual attorney registration fee, no tax money is involved in the repayments.

The appointments announced today include John Parisi, Leawood, who succeeds Greg L. Musil, Overland Park; Ann Gardner, Lawrence, who succeeds Kent Cornish, Wichita; and Terry Beck, Topeka, who succeeds William R. Sampson, Overland Park.

Other members of the Commission include Beth F. Fager, Topeka, who is becoming chair to succeed Musil; Amy S. Lemley, Wichita, vice chair; Ward Loyd, Garden City; and Riley County District Judge David L. Stutzman, Manhattan. Members are appointed to three-year terms by the Supreme Court. Justice Fred N. Six, Lawrence, is liaison between the Commission and the Supreme Court.

The Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection covers most cases in which lawyers have taken for their own use or otherwise misappropriated clients' money entrusted to them. The Fund does not cover losses resulting from a lawyer's negligence, fee disputes, or cases of legal malpractice. The Fund's Commission does not have the authority to discipline attorneys, resolve fee disputes, or determine legal malpractice claims.