ISBA Ethics Opinions on Financial Assistance to Clients

Opinion 19-02 | Financial Assistance to Clients
Lawyers assistance in helping client obtain financial assistance from third party during litigation

A lawyer who won a verdict for a client in litigation that is being appealed may allow the client to obtain financing and assist the client in obtaining financing from a third party during the pendency of such litigation.
Opinion 06-01 | Client Funds and Property | Financial Assistance to Clients
Lawyer’s personal guarantee to pay liens and subrogation claims

A lawyer may not provide a personal guarantee that s/he will pay the liens and subrogation claims chargeable against a client’s settlement proceeds.
Opinion 95-06 | Financial Assistance to Clients
Improper for attorney to advance financial assistance to client for medical services

An attorney may not advance money to a hospital on behalf of a client for medical expenses of the client.
Opinion 92-09 | Fees and Expenses | Financial Assistance to Clients
Assisting client to obtain loan to pay attorney fees
Opinion 90-25 | Court Appointed Lawyer | Financial Assistance to Clients
Lawyer as surety on personal representatives bond, court appointment from judge to whom lawyer made campaign contributions
Opinion 802 | Financial Assistance to Clients
Lawyer acting as surety for client bond
Opinion 767 | Financial Assistance to Clients
Organization funding filing costs of small claims matters

ISBA Advisory Opinions on Professional Conduct are prepared as an educational service to members of the ISBA. While the opinions express the ISBA interpretation of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct and other relevant materials in response to a specific hypothesized fact situation, they do not have the weight of law and should not be relied upon as a substitute for individual legal advice. For more information, call the ISBA Legal Department at (217) 525-1760 or (800) 252-8908.