What does Ohio law prioritize in managing client funds?

Ohio law prioritizes the prevention of commingling client funds with personal or business funds. Commingling occurs when a lawyer mixes client funds with their own, which can lead to mismanagement and a violation of ethical obligations. This principle is vital to maintaining client trust and ensuring that funds are used only for their intended purposes.

The regulation surrounding client funds mandates that lawyers keep these funds separate, typically in a client trust account. This protects clients' money and ensures that lawyers do not inadvertently use those funds for personal expenses or business-related costs. Ohio's rules are designed to provide a clear framework for the handling of client funds, establishing that the integrity of client property must be upheld strictly.

The other options do not align with the ethical obligations lawyers must follow. Maximizing profits at the expense of client trust, maintaining mixed accounts, or using client funds for unrelated business expenses all undermine the fiduciary responsibility an attorney has toward their clients.