DESCRIPTION
Presented at 2023 OBA Solo and Small Firm Conference
Ethical Considerations of Using Cash Apps
“Can I just Venmo you the retainer?” If a potential client hasn’t asked you that question yet, just wait. So many people never write a check today. But many use Cash apps instead of credit cards. Is it appropriate and ethical to accept fee payment by cash app? Is there a difference when it is a retainer versus a payment on a bill for services? Can you ethically attach a payment app to your trust account to facilitate receiving retainers?
Presented by:
JULIE BAYS
Practice Management Advisor, Oklahoma Bar Association
Ms. Bays joined the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office in April of 2002 where was responsible for prosecuting antitrust and consumer protection cases. Ms. Bays served on various task forces and committees including the Oklahoma Bar Association Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee, the Federal Trade Commission Southwest Netforce, and the National Attorneys General Association Antitrust Policy Task Force. She taught various Continuing Legal Education classes for the State of Oklahoma including Electronic Discovery and Ethics, The Zen of E-Discovery, and The Risks of Identity Theft and Consumer Fraud. Ms. Bays also traveled the state educating consumers regarding identity theft and other types of consumer and internet fraud. In January 2013, she was appointed Chief, Assistant Attorney General of the Consumer Protection Unit. In November of 2018, Ms. Bays joined the Oklahoma Bar Association as their Practice Management Advisor. She works with the OBA Management Assistance Program to provide assistance to attorneys in using technology and other tools to efficiently manage their offices. Bays is also involved with the Access to Justice initiatives of the OBA such as Oklahoma Free Legal Answers. She is on the Planning Board for the American Bar Association’s TechShow 2024.
RICHARD STEVENS
Ethics Counsel, Oklahoma Bar Association
Norman attorney Richard Stevens serves as OBA ethics counsel. Most recently he was a solo practitioner following his retirement from the District 21 District Attorney’s Office in 2016 after 33 years as a prosecutor. He received both his B.A. (1978) and J.D. (1982) from OU. He is a member of the OBA Criminal Law Section and the Rules of Professional Conduct Committee. Mr. Stevens has served on the Professional Responsibility Commission (2017-2019), as an at-large governor (2013-2015) and vice president (2016) on the OBA Board of Governors. He is an active member of the Cleveland County Bar Association, having served on its Executive Committee from 2010-2012. He has been active with both the OBA and the Cleveland County Disaster Response and Relief committees and the OBA Lawyers for America’s Heroes Program.
Disclaimer: All views or opinions expressed by any presenter during the course of this CLE is that of the presenter alone and not an opinion of the Oklahoma Bar Association, the employers, or affiliates of the presenters unless specifically stated. Additionally, any materials, including the legal research, are the product of the individual contributor, not the Oklahoma Bar Association. The Oklahoma Bar Association makes no warranty, express or implied, relating to the accuracy or content of these materials.