The Times Union recently reported on the $10.6 million in reimbursement paid by the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection in 2017 to 215 law clients victimized by dishonest conduct in the practice of law, and the former Capital Region attorneys responsible for eight of these awards totaling $49,130. ("Victims of fraudulent lawyers reimbursed," April 20).

It is important to note that the Lawyers' Fund is financed by attorneys in New York state. No taxpayer revenue is used for this client protection program.

The overwhelming majority of lawyers in New York are honest and caring and deserving of their law clients' trust. There are more than 318,000 registered lawyers in New York state. Each year, only a handful of lawyers misuse law client funds causing financial harm to their clients.

Only 10 former attorneys statewide were responsible for more than $7.7 million (73 percent) of the $10.6 million in awards from the Lawyers' Fund in 2017. These few disgraced attorneys caused substantial harm to their clients, which New York's legal profession assumed responsibility for and promptly reimbursed through the Lawyers' Fund. No other profession provides such protection to its consumers.

Attorneys in the Capital Region have a proven record of honesty with their clients. This area has had the fewest number of attorneys involved in awards from the Lawyers' Fund over 35 years.

Timothy O'Sullivan

Albany

Executive Director and Counsel, New York State Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection