The State Bar of Texas disciplinary actions tell a sobering story: Rules 1.14(a) and 1.14(b) violations consistently dominate the docket yearly.
"Failure to hold client funds separate" and "failure to deliver funds promptly" have ended careers, shuttered firms, and left clients without recourse.
Learn from the attorney who trusted their "qualified" bookkeeper—only to discover non-compliant recordkeeping, missing client funds, and a looming disciplinary investigation. See how even experienced professionals can create compliance nightmares.
~Master the exact requirements that trip up even seasoned attorneys
~Decode the two critical opinions every Texas attorney must understand (#245 and #611)
~Understand your fiduciary responsibility beyond just checking that annual compliance box
~Best practices for fund receipt that protect you from day one
~IOLTA vs. Operating Account Decisions That Could Save Your License
~The "fully funded" rule that prevents costly violations
~Who MUST use IOLTA vs. who has flexibility (most firms need it)
~Why your practice management software isn't enough (and what you need instead)
~The subaccount structure required for true compliance
~Monthly reconciliation processes that catch problems before they become serious issues
~GAAP compliance fundamentals every attorney should know
~The three-step process for moving earned fees properly
~Individual transfer requirements that many firms overlook
~Client cost disbursement best practices
~Invoice and documentation standards that protect you during audits
~What it is and why it matters for your compliance
~How balances must match (and what happens when they don't)
~The "Other" category red flag that signals immediate compliance issues
~Balance Sheet warning signs you can't afford to miss
~Profit & Loss interpretation for attorneys
~The monthly review process that prevents costly oversights
~Standard reports that every compliant firm must generate
Andrea is an Advanced Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor and an IOLTA compliance expert. She created this IOLTA MCLE ethics course in 2005 when speaking on behalf of the State Bar of Texas, and has continued to update it every year based on demand. With over 20 years of experience in her field, she has helped hundreds of attorneys and their law firms create best practices in their accounting departments, implement compliant financial processes, and ensure data integrity.
Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor (45,000+ hours logged)
Master's of Education, Indiana University
HR Generalist Certification, University of Texas Center for Professional Development (2001)
Co-Founder & CEO, A.M. Jenkinson & Associates (2003)
Featured MCLE Speaker for The State Bar of Texas (2005)
Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor (50,000+ hours logged)
Master's of Education, Indiana University
HR Generalist Certification, University of Texas Center for Professional Development (2001)
Co-Founder & CEO, A.M. Jenkinson & Associates (2003)
Featured MCLE Speaker for The State Bar of Texas (2005)
Fulfills 1 hour of required Ethics MCLE
Every attorney in Texas needs 2 hours annually...
Expert-designed curriculum
By the professional who created the original MCLE State Bar course...
Real-world Industry checklists
You can implement these best practices immediately...
20+ years of field experience
Distilled into actionable and proven compliance strategies...
Case studies and examples
Showing exactly what compliance should look like in your firm...
Immediate access after purchase
You can start learning and earning your 1-hour of Ethics MCLE today...
Reality #1
They're one of the top reasons attorneys read the Texas Bar Journal disciplinary section.
Reality #2
Your CPA won't catch these problems—they rely on the accuracy of the records you provide them.
Reality #3
One client complaint about missing funds can trigger an investigation that threatens everything you've built.
"Feeling bullet-proof"
"Andrea's IOLTA training saved our firm from what could have been a serious compliance issue. The processes she taught us are now standard practice in our firm."
- Managing Partner,
Dallas Family Law Firm
"Eye-Opening"
"Finally, someone who explains IOLTA compliance in terms that attorneys and their staff can actually understand and implement immediately."
- Solo Practitioner,
Houston Personal Injury Law Firm
"I highly recommend!"
"This should be required viewing for every attorney in Texas who handles client funds and doesn't have a proven system to stay compliant."
- Certified Legal Manager,
Austin Law Firm
Secure Your Compliance Today!
Regular Price $99
Your Price $65
Immediate Access to On-Demand Content
1-Hour Ethics MCLE Credit (MCLE #174276980)
BONUS: Transcript of the Entire Course for Reference
BONUS: Q & A of the most asked Compliance questions ($67)
BONUS: Downloadable Compliance Checklists ($199)
BONUS: Excel/PDF Cheat Sheet of Chart of Accounts ($347)
"I Had No Idea These Rules Existed"
- Paralegal,
Austin Law Firm
©2025 A.M. Jenkinson and Associates, Inc
This course satisfies 1 hour of Ethics MCLE credit required for all Texas attorneys.
State Bar of Texas Course #174276980
©2025 A.M. Jenkinson and Associates, Inc
This course satisfies 1 hour of Ethics MCLE credit required for all Texas attorneys.
State Bar of Texas Course #174276980