In today’s increasingly sophisticated threat environment, attorneys and law firms are prime targets for complex fraud schemes designed to exploit trust accounts. This program provides a practical, real-world examination of attorney-targeted fraud, focusing on how seemingly legitimate client engagements can quickly evolve into high-value financial scams with significant ethical and financial consequences.
Using a detailed case study involving a multi-party transaction known as the “Barker Oil & Gas” scenario, the course walks participants through the lifecycle of a modern attorney retention scam—from initial contact and client onboarding through the receipt of funds, trust account activity, and ultimate discovery of fraud. As illustrated in the course materials, these schemes often involve stolen identities, realistic business entities, legitimate-looking documentation, and carefully staged communications designed to build credibility and urgency.
Learning Objectives:
* Identify common characteristics of attorney-targeted fraud schemes
* Recognize “red flags” and “yellow flags”
* Analyze how trust account vulnerabilities are exploited
* Implement best practices for client verification and due diligence
* Respond effectively to suspected or confirmed fraud
* Apply ethical obligations under professional responsibility rules, including duties related to client funds, communication & remediation after a fraud event
* Utilize a structured fraud response framework
* Evaluate firm-wide risk management strategies
Participants will learn to identify the “yellow flags” that frequently appear in these transactions, including unfamiliar referral sources, sophisticated client communications, delayed discussion of funds, the use of third-party intermediaries and requests for trust account disbursements based on invoices that appear legitimate. A significant portion of the course is dedicated to response strategies once fraud is suspected or confirmed.
Participants will receive a structured “Fraud Victims Toolkit,” outlining immediate and ongoing steps to take, including contacting financial institutions, state bar authorities, law enforcement agencies, insurers, and other affected parties. Attorneys will leave with a deeper understanding of both the operational and ethical risks associated with trust account fraud, as well as practical tools to protect their firms and respond effectively if targeted. Jennille Smith is an attorney admitted in Vermont and California whose practice focuses on critical infrastructure development, regulatory compliance, and complex project strategy.