Patterson v. Idaho State Bar

JOHNSON, Justice.

This case concerns a claim by clients of an Idaho lawyer against the client security fund (the fund) operated by the Idaho State Bar (ISB). We agree with the conclusion of ISB’s board of commissioners (the board) that the clients’ loss was a result of the lawyer’s negligence, not his dishonesty.

I

THE BACKGROUND AND PRIOR PROCEEDINGS.

In 1988, Suzanne and Stephen Patterson (the Pattersons) moved from Arizona to Idaho. Before leaving Arizona, they filed a homestead declaration on their Arizona home.

After the Pattersons moved to Idaho, they incurred significant debt due to…