Bonnie C. Frost and Patrick B. Minter Publish “Navigating a New Jersey Trust Account Audit” in the New Jersey Law Journal

A random audit by the New Jersey Office of Attorney Ethics (OAE) is not an indication that an attorney has done anything wrong. Rather, the audits are part of the OAE’s longstanding compliance program designed to ensure law firms properly maintain attorney trust accounts and comply with New Jersey’s financial recordkeeping requirements. While most audits identify routine bookkeeping deficiencies rather than misconduct, firms that are unprepared may face unnecessary complications, making proactive recordkeeping and audit readiness essential.

In a new article “Navigating a New Jersey Trust Account Audit,” published in the New Jersey Law Journal, Bonnie C. Frost and Patrick B. Minter, co-chairs of the Ethics and Professional Liability Defense Practice Group, explain what attorneys can expect during an OAE random audit. The authors explore the most common recordkeeping issues uncovered, and how experienced ethics counsel can help firms prepare, respond to auditor inquiries, and address any deficiencies. The article also examines the OAE’s trust account overdraft notification program and offers practical guidance for reducing risk and navigating the audit process with confidence.

Read “Navigating a New Jersey Trust Account Audit” here. (Subscription may be required.)

Download a PDF of the article.