The Application for Reimbursement is the form you file with your state bar’s Client Security Fund to recover money a lawyer stole or wrongfully kept from you. In California, you file it with the State Bar Client Security Fund, and it can pay you back up to $100,000 per claim when a lawyer takes your money through theft or dishonest conduct.
This form exists because most clients have no easy way to get their money back once a lawyer disappears, gets disbarred, or spends client funds. Lawyers across your state pay into this fund to protect the public, so the money is there waiting for valid claims. Getting a single section wrong, though, can delay your payment by months or get your claim denied outright.
Across the country, these funds pay out millions of dollars each year, and California alone has reimbursed clients more than $100 million since the program began. Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 How to fill out every numbered section of the Application for Reimbursement, line by line
- 📂 Which documents you must attach so the Fund can prove the lawyer received your money
- ⚖️ Why you usually must file an attorney misconduct complaint before you file this claim
- 💡 Three real walkthrough examples showing exactly what to write in each box
- 🚫 The most common mistakes that get claims denied and how to avoid them
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Application for Reimbursement is the official claim form for the Client Security Fund (CSF), a program run by the State Bar of California. The Fund may reimburse clients who lost money or property because a California lawyer committed theft or dishonest conduct. The program is funded entirely by California lawyers, not taxpayers, and it serves to protect the public and keep trust in the legal profession. Most states run a nearly identical program, such as the New York Lawyers’ Fund and the Texas Client Security Fund.
You should file this form if you paid a lawyer and that lawyer stole your money, kept fees after doing no work, or took settlement funds that belonged to you. The current California form carries a revision date of Rev. 3/2023, so check that date in the bottom corner to make sure you have the latest version. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to apply, and you do not need a lawyer to file.
Some people cannot use the Fund. The Fund will not pay the lawyer’s spouse, close family, business partners, employees, or employers. It also will not pay government agencies. The Fund covers theft and dishonesty only, so it does not reimburse losses from negligence, malpractice, or incompetence. It also does not cover interest, consequential damages, or the fees you pay a new lawyer to finish your case.
A common misconception is that the Fund is an insurance policy you are entitled to collect on. It is not. Every payment is a matter of grace, decided at the sole discretion of the Client Security Fund Commission, so a strong, well-documented application matters.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather your paperwork before you open the form, because the Fund cannot pay a claim it cannot prove. The single most important thing you must show is that the lawyer actually received your money and then wrongfully kept it. Pull these items together first:
- Your fee agreement or legal services contract. This proves what you hired the lawyer to do and how much you agreed to pay; without it, the Fund may question whether the lawyer owed you anything.
- Front and back copies of canceled checks. These prove the lawyer cashed your payment; missing them makes it hard to show the money changed hands.
- Bank statements and deposit slips. These trace the money trail; without them, the Fund may not confirm the amount you lost.
- Receipts and invoices from the attorney. These show what you paid and when; gaps here can shrink the amount the Fund approves.
- Settlement statements or court orders about the funds. These prove money like an injury settlement belonged to you; without them a settlement-theft claim can stall.
- All correspondence with the attorney. Emails, letters, and texts show the lawyer’s promises and excuses; missing them weakens your account of the dishonesty.
- Your attorney misconduct complaint number. You usually must file this complaint first; without the number, the Fund cannot move forward.
- The attorney’s California State Bar number. This identifies the exact lawyer; the wrong number can attach your claim to the wrong person.
- Dates of the loss and the date you discovered it. These set the timeline; vague dates slow the review.
The more complete your packet, the faster the Fund can process your claim. The State Bar says processing speed depends on the evidence you provide, whether the lawyer has been disciplined, and the current backlog. A thin packet almost always means a slow or denied claim.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You get the California form straight from the State Bar’s website on the apply for reimbursement page. From there you can submit online or download the official Application for Reimbursement PDF. Filing is free, and no lawyer is required to apply.
The PDF has one quirk you must know about. It cannot be filled out inside your web browser. You must download it and open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader, then type your answers into the fields. If you try to type in a browser preview, your answers will not save, and you will lose your work.
If you prefer paper, you can write or call the Fund and ask them to mail you a copy. The mailing address is The State Bar of California, Client Security Fund, 845 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017-2515, and the phone number is 213-765-1140. You can also email questions to clientsecurityfund@calbar.ca.gov.
Before you fill out a single box, you must usually take one earlier step. Unless the attorney is already disbarred or deceased, you must first file an attorney misconduct complaint with the State Bar’s Office of Chief Trial Counsel. The Fund will ask for that complaint number on the form, so handle this first.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Application for Reimbursement Line by Line
The form is organized into six numbered sections plus signature and attorney blocks. Work through them in order, use the exact box numbers printed on the form, and attach extra pages whenever you run out of room. Below, each section gets its own walkthrough.
Top of Page 1: For Official Use Only
This boxed area at the top asks for a CSF #, a Bar #, a dollar amount, and a Date Received. In plain English, this is the Fund’s own tracking box, not yours. You leave every line in this box blank, because State Bar staff fill it in when they log your application. A named filer like Maria Lopez simply skips this box and starts at Section 1.
The nuance is that you may see a CSF number later in letters from the Fund; that number comes from this box once staff assign it. The common mistake here is writing your claim amount in this box instead of in Section 4, which can confuse staff about what you are requesting. A misconception is that filling this box in speeds things up; it does not, and staff may simply cross out anything you wrote.
Section 1: Applicant and Co-Applicant Information
Section 1 asks for your name, address, telephone, and email, and it warns that all owners of the funds or accounts used to pay the attorney must join this application as co-applicants. In plain English, the Fund wants to know who owned the stolen money, not just who signed the checks. You write your legal name in the First, Middle, Last fields, then your full mailing address, phone, and email; if a second person co-owned the money, you complete the Co-Applicant block with their name and their Relationship to Applicant.
For example, Maria Lopez writes her name, her home address in Fresno, her cell number, and her email. If her husband Carlos Lopez shared the bank account that paid the lawyer, she lists him as a co-applicant and writes Spouse in the relationship field. A nuance arises when money came from a joint account or a business; every owner must join, and you attach extra pages if there are more co-applicants than the form fits.
A common mistake is leaving off a co-owner, which can cause the Fund to deny part of your claim because it cannot confirm you owned the full amount. People often hold the misconception that only the person who hired the lawyer can apply; in truth, anyone whose money was taken must be listed, or that share may go unpaid.
Section 2: Attorney Who Caused Your Asserted Loss
Section 2 asks for the lawyer’s name, telephone, address, and California State Bar Number. In plain English, this identifies the exact lawyer who took your money. You enter the lawyer’s full name and contact details, then look up and enter the bar number using the State Bar’s attorney search tool.
For example, Maria searches the lawyer’s name, finds Bar No. 198765, and copies it into the box exactly. A nuance comes up when the lawyer used several name spellings or a firm name; use the name on file with the State Bar so records match. The bar number is the key field that ties your claim to the right person.
A common mistake is guessing the bar number or leaving it blank, which can delay your file while staff hunt for the correct lawyer or, worse, attach your claim to a different attorney with a similar name. Many filers wrongly believe the Fund already knows which lawyer they mean from the complaint; you must still name the lawyer and number here so the two files connect cleanly.
Section 3: Your Relationship to the Attorney
Section 3 asks three things: whether the attorney is family or a personal relationship (3a), whether you had a business relationship (3b), and whether you hired the attorney (3c). In plain English, the Fund is checking that you are an eligible client and not a barred relative or business partner. You check No or Yes on 3a and 3b, and if yes, you describe the relationship; on 3c you check Yes and pick the matter type, such as Personal Injury or Family Law Matter, or check No and explain how the lawyer got your money.
Section 3c also asks the date you hired the attorney, the total amount of attorney fees paid, and case details like Case name, Case number, Name of court, and Branch/City if your matter was filed in court. For example, Marcus Tran checks Yes, marks Personal Injury, writes that he hired the lawyer on 04/10/2023, and enters his case as Tran vs. Delgado, Case No. CV-2023-44120, in the Los Angeles Superior Court.
A nuance applies if you did not hire the lawyer directly, such as money the lawyer held for you as part of an estate; you check No on 3c and explain the circumstances on an attached page. A common mistake is checking Yes on the family or business questions without realizing it may disqualify you, so answer honestly but read who is barred first. A frequent misconception is that any contact with a lawyer counts as hiring them; the Fund wants the formal attorney-client relationship where you entrusted money.
Section 4: Asserted Monetary or Property Loss
Section 4 is the heart of the form. Line 4a asks the amount you are requesting from the Client Security Fund, 4b asks how you would describe the loss, 4c asks the date of the loss, 4d asks the date you discovered it, and 4e and 4f ask whether the loss can be recovered from another source like insurance and whether you already got any of it back. In plain English, this section pins down how much the lawyer took and whether anyone else owes you. You write the dollar figure in 4a, check a box in 4b such as Settlement Funds or Attorney Fees Paid to the Attorney, and fill in the loss dates in Month / Day / Year format.
For example, Janet Wu requests $18,500 in 4a, checks Settlement Funds in 4b, writes the loss date as 09/15/2024, and notes she discovered it on 11/02/2024 when the lawyer stopped returning calls. On 4e she checks No because no insurance covers it, and on 4f she checks No because she got nothing back. A nuance is that the Fund only reimburses money the lawyer actually received and wrongfully kept, so do not pad the amount with interest, malpractice damages, or fees you paid a new lawyer.
A common mistake is requesting consequential losses, which the Fund flatly cannot pay, causing staff to reduce your claim and slowing the review. People often believe the Fund will cover the full value of the case the lawyer botched; in reality it only returns the specific dollars the lawyer took from your hands.
Section 5: Supporting Documents and Explanation
Section 5 has two parts. Part 5a gives a checklist of documents and asks you to select all that apply, including Legal Services/Fee Agreement, Front and Back of Canceled Checks, Bank Statements, Settlement Funds records, Correspondence with the Attorney, and more. Part 5b tells you to attach a separate page describing, in chronological order, the attorney’s conduct that led to your loss. In plain English, this is where you prove the theft with paper and tell the story behind it.
For example, Janet checks Legal Services/Fee Agreement, Front and Back of Canceled Checks, Bank Statements, and Correspondence with the Attorney, then attaches a one-page timeline explaining that her lawyer received a $25,000 settlement check, kept $18,500, and never paid her. A nuance is that you should specify the exact amount the attorney received, all relevant dates, and any work the lawyer actually did, because the Fund weighs whether some fees were earned.
A common mistake is checking boxes for documents you do not actually attach, which forces the Fund to write back and ask for them and delays everything. The biggest misconception is that the explanation page is optional; without an explanation and documents, the Fund may not be able to proceed with your application at all.
Section 6: Disciplinary Complaint and Other Litigation
Section 6 confirms you took the required first step. Line 6a asks whether you filed an attorney misconduct complaint with the Office of Chief Trial Counsel, plus the date filed and the complaint number. Line 6b asks about any Civil Lawsuit or Small Claims Case, Criminal Complaint, or Request for Arbitration of a Fee Dispute you filed, with case numbers, courts, and current status. In plain English, the Fund wants to know you reported the lawyer and whether you are chasing the money elsewhere.
For example, Marcus checks Yes on 6a, writes that he filed his complaint on 01/12/2025, and enters his complaint number. He also reports a small claims case he filed, listing the case number and that it is pending. A nuance is that you do not need to finish those other cases first; you just disclose them, since the Fund may seek repayment if you collect twice.
A common mistake is skipping the complaint entirely; unless the lawyer is already disbarred or deceased, you must file that complaint before this application, or the Fund will not process your claim. A misconception is that filing this application protects your other deadlines; it does not stop any statute of limitations, so keep pursuing your other remedies.
Assignment, Notice, and Signature Blocks
After Section 6, the form has an Assignment of Applicant’s Rights and Subrogation clause, a Notice to Applicant, and the signature lines. In plain English, by signing you agree that if the Fund pays you, it can step into your shoes to chase the lawyer for that money, and you agree to cooperate. You read these paragraphs, then every applicant and co-applicant signs and dates the form under penalty of perjury.
For example, Maria and her husband Carlos each sign and date the form on the Signature of Applicant and Signature of Co-Applicant lines. A nuance is that signing means you may give up the right to pursue a separate civil action against a third party for the same recovery, so understand that trade-off. A common mistake is one spouse signing for both; each listed applicant must personally sign, or the Fund may reject the filing. The misconception that this is a routine formality is risky, because the perjury declaration means false statements carry real legal consequences.
Optional Attorney Representation Block
The final block lets you name a lawyer to represent you on the application, with the lawyer’s Printed Name, California State Bar No., signature, email, and date. In plain English, this section only matters if you choose to hire counsel, which you do not need to do. You leave it blank if you are filing on your own.
For example, Janet files by herself and leaves this block empty. A nuance is that if you do use a lawyer, the rules encourage them to work pro bono, and the Fund still sends all communications and any check directly to you, with only a courtesy copy to your lawyer. A common mistake is assuming hiring a lawyer here speeds approval; most decisions rest on the documents you submit, not on representation. The misconception that you must have a lawyer keeps many valid claimants from ever applying.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The walkthroughs below follow three common fact patterns from start to finish. Each table shows what the named filer enters in the key sections of the form.
Scenario 1: Stolen settlement funds. Janet Wu won a personal injury settlement, but her lawyer kept most of the check.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Section 1 Applicant | Janet Wu, San Diego address, phone, and email |
| Section 1 Co-Applicant | Left blank, she owned the funds alone |
| Section 2 Attorney | Lawyer’s name and Bar No. 210334 |
| Section 3c Hired | Yes, Personal Injury, hired 03/01/2023 |
| Section 4a Amount | $18,500 |
| Section 4b Loss type | Settlement Funds |
| Section 5a Documents | Fee agreement, settlement statement, bank records, correspondence |
| Section 6a Complaint | Yes, filed 11/05/2024, with complaint number |
| Signature | Janet Wu, signed and dated under penalty of perjury |
Scenario 2: Unearned fees, no work done. Marcus Tran paid a retainer for a divorce, but the lawyer did nothing and vanished.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Section 1 Applicant | Marcus Tran, Sacramento address, phone, email |
| Section 2 Attorney | Lawyer’s name and Bar No. 154220 |
| Section 3c Hired | Yes, Family Law Matter, hired 04/10/2024 |
| Section 3c Fees paid | $5,000 total paid to attorney |
| Section 4a Amount | $5,000 |
| Section 4b Loss type | Attorney Fees Paid to the Attorney |
| Section 5a Documents | Fee agreement, canceled check, texts showing no work |
| Section 6a Complaint | Yes, filed 02/01/2025, with complaint number |
| Signature | Marcus Tran, signed and dated |
Scenario 3: Funds taken for a fake investment. Robert and Linda Hayes gave their lawyer money for an investment that never existed.
| Form Section | What the Hayeses Enter |
|---|---|
| Section 1 Applicant | Robert Hayes, Oakland address, phone, email |
| Section 1 Co-Applicant | Linda Hayes, Spouse, joint account owner |
| Section 2 Attorney | Lawyer’s name and Bar No. 176901 |
| Section 3b Business | Yes, describe the investment arrangement |
| Section 4a Amount | $45,000 |
| Section 4b Loss type | Investment Funds |
| Section 5a Documents | Wire records, emails promising the investment, bank statements |
| Section 6a Complaint | Yes, filed 03/20/2025, with complaint number |
| Signature | Robert Hayes and Linda Hayes, both sign and date |
How to File the Completed Form
California gives you several ways to file, and all of them are free. Pick the channel that fits you and keep proof that you filed.
- Online portal. Submit through the State Bar’s apply for reimbursement page; there is no fee, no lawyer is required, and you should save the confirmation screen or email as your proof of filing.
- By mail. Send the signed PDF and all attachments to The State Bar of California, Client Security Fund, 845 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017-2515; there is no fee, and you should mail it with tracking and keep the receipt as proof.
- By fax. Fax the completed application to 213-765-1158; keep the fax confirmation page as your proof of filing.
- By email. Email the completed application and documents to clientsecurityfund@calbar.ca.gov; save the sent message and any reply as proof.
Processing time varies. The State Bar says the timeline depends on whether the lawyer has been disciplined, the strength of your evidence, and the current backlog of applications, so there is no fixed deadline for a decision. To keep things moving, respond fast if the Fund asks for more information, and tell them right away if your address changes.
Remember the order of steps. Unless the lawyer is disbarred or deceased, file your attorney misconduct complaint first, then file this application and reference the complaint number in Section 6.
What Happens After You File
Once your application arrives, the Client Security Fund Commission reviews it. This Commission is a volunteer body appointed by the State Bar’s Board of Trustees, and it decides whether to approve, partially approve, or deny your reimbursement. The Fund will contact you if it needs more information, so watch your mail and email closely.
If the Commission approves your claim, you receive a tentative decision. If neither you nor the lawyer objects within 30 days, that decision becomes final. If you disagree with the outcome, you may file a written objection within 30 days and send a copy to the lawyer, and the Commission will issue a final decision after reviewing objections.
Payment usually follows about four weeks after the final decision. Checks are made payable directly to you, the applicant, not to a third party, and large checks are sent by certified mail. Even if you have a lawyer, the check is mailed to you unless you instruct otherwise.
You still have rights if you remain unhappy. If you are dissatisfied after the final decision, you may request a review by your county superior court, and a lawyer may help you with that step. The current per-claim reimbursement cap in California is up to $100,000, depending on when the loss occurred.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each error below has tripped up real filers, and each carries a direct cost. Read them before you submit.
- Skipping the attorney misconduct complaint first; the Fund will not process your application unless the lawyer is disbarred or deceased.
- Leaving the attorney’s bar number blank; staff may attach your claim to the wrong lawyer or stall your file.
- Filling out a co-owner’s money without listing them as a co-applicant; the Fund may deny that share of your loss.
- Requesting interest or malpractice damages in Section 4a; the Fund cannot pay these, so it will cut your amount.
- Checking document boxes in Section 5a for papers you did not attach; the Fund will write back and delay your claim.
- Omitting the explanation page in Section 5b; without it the Fund may not be able to proceed at all.
- Using inconsistent dates between the loss date, discovery date, and your story; mismatches slow the review.
- Forgetting to have every applicant sign; an unsigned application can be rejected outright.
- Trying to fill the PDF in a browser; your answers will not save and you will lose your work.
- Padding the claim with fees you paid a new lawyer; these are consequential losses the Fund does not cover.
- Assuming this filing pauses your other deadlines; it does not stop any statute of limitations.
- Failing to report money you already recovered in Section 4f; the Fund can later seek repayment from you.
Do’s and Don’ts
Keep these quick rules in mind as you complete and file the form.
- Do file your misconduct complaint first, because the Fund requires it before it can act on most claims.
- Do attach front-and-back copies of canceled checks, because they prove the lawyer received your money.
- Do list every owner of the stolen funds as a co-applicant, because each owner’s share depends on it.
- Do look up the exact bar number, because it links your claim to the correct attorney.
- Do write a clear, dated timeline in Section 5b, because the Fund decides on the story plus the documents.
- Do keep proof of filing, because it protects you if the application is lost.
- Don’t include interest or malpractice damages, because the Fund cannot reimburse them.
- Don’t guess at numbers or dates, because errors slow the review.
- Don’t fill the PDF in a browser, because your entries will not save.
- Don’t sign for someone else, because each applicant must personally sign under penalty of perjury.
- Don’t assume you need a lawyer, because filing is free and self-represented claims are common.
- Don’t stop your other recovery efforts, because this filing does not protect those deadlines.
Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Most people file the Client Security Fund application without a lawyer, but help is allowed. The table below weighs both paths so you can choose.
| Filing on Your Own | Filing With a Lawyer’s Help |
|---|---|
| Costs nothing, because the Fund charges no fee and you pay no lawyer | |
| Keeps full control of your timeline and documents | |
| Works well for clear-cut theft with strong paperwork | |
| Requires you to organize evidence and write the timeline yourself | |
| May feel overwhelming if records are scattered or the loss is complex |
Pros of filing with help. A lawyer can organize messy records, which strengthens a complex claim. A lawyer can write a tighter Section 5b timeline, which can speed the review. A lawyer can spot a barred relationship issue early, which avoids a denial. Many lawyers take these cases pro bono, which keeps your cost low. A lawyer can handle a superior court review if your claim is denied, which protects your last option.
Cons of filing with help. Hiring a lawyer adds a step that most simple claims do not need. The check still comes to you, not the lawyer, so representation does not change payment. Most decisions rest on documents, so a lawyer may add little to a clean claim. Coordinating with counsel can slow a straightforward filing. You may pay fees if the lawyer does not work for free, which the Fund will not reimburse.
FAQs
Do I have to file an attorney misconduct complaint before this application?
Yes. Unless the attorney is already disbarred or deceased, you must file an attorney misconduct complaint with the Office of Chief Trial Counsel before filing your application.
Is there a fee to file the Client Security Fund application?
No. Filing is free in California and in nearly every state fund, and you are never required to hire a lawyer to apply.
Do I write my money’s co-owner in Section 1 even if I hired the lawyer alone?
Yes. All owners of the funds or accounts used to pay the attorney must join as co-applicants, or that owner’s share may go unpaid.
Do I enter the attorney’s bar number in Section 2 if I only have their name?
Yes. Look it up with the State Bar’s attorney search and enter the exact number so your claim attaches to the right lawyer.
Can I include the fees I paid a new lawyer in Section 4a?
No. Those are consequential losses the Fund cannot reimburse, so including them will only cause staff to reduce your requested amount.
Do I leave the “For Official Use Only” box at the top blank?
Yes. That box is for State Bar staff, who fill in the CSF number and date received, so you skip it entirely.
Can I fill out the PDF inside my web browser?
No. You must download the PDF and open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader, or your answers will not save.
Is the Client Security Fund the same as malpractice insurance?
No. The Fund covers theft and dishonest conduct only, not negligence, malpractice, or incompetence by the lawyer.
Do both spouses sign if we are co-applicants?
Yes. Every listed applicant and co-applicant must personally sign and date the form under penalty of perjury, or it may be rejected.
Will filing this application stop my statute of limitations?
No. Filing does not pause any deadline, so keep pursuing your other remedies like a civil or small claims case.
Can I still get paid if the lawyer has no money?
Yes. The Fund is financed by lawyers across the state, so payment does not depend on the dishonest lawyer’s own assets.
Is there a limit on how much the Fund will pay?
Yes. California reimburses up to $100,000 per claim depending on when the loss occurred, while other states set their own caps.
Do I need to attach documents if I already explained my loss?
Yes. You must attach both an explanation and supporting documents, because without proof the lawyer received your money the Fund may not proceed.
Can I appeal if my claim is denied?
Yes. You may file a written objection within 30 days, and if still dissatisfied you may request a review by your county superior court.
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