Investigations; audits

39.10(1) Each member of the bar of Iowa, in filing the statement required by rule 39.8(1), must authorize the executive director to investigate, audit, and verify all funds, securities, and other property held in trust by the member, and all related accounts, safe deposit boxes, and any other forms of maintaining trust property as required by Iowa Rule of Professional Conduct 32:1.15 and chapter 45 of the Iowa Court Rules, together with deposit slips, canceled checks, and all other records pertaining to transactions concerning such property. 39.10(2) Each member of the bar of Iowa must comply promptly with any request by the executive director to execute and deliver to the director a written authorization, directed to any bank or depository, for the director to audit and inspect such accounts, safe deposit boxes, securities, and other forms of maintaining trust property by the member in such bank or other depository. 39.10(3) Each member of the bar of Iowa must do all of the following: a. Cooperate fully with the executive director in any investigation, audit, or verification of any funds, securities, or property held in trust by that lawyer. b. Answer all questions posed by the executive director that relate to any investigation, audit, or verification, unless claiming the privilege against self-incrimination. c. Retain complete records of all trust fund transactions for a period of not less than six years following completion of the matter to which they relate, in accordance with Iowa Rule of Professional Conduct 32:1.15 and Iowa Court Rule 45.2(3). 39.10(4) The commission with the approval of the supreme court may retain, compensate from the fund, and furnish as staff for the executive director, such public or certified accountants, investigators, or attorneys as may be deemed necessary to carry out the duties and functions Ch 39, p.8 CLIENT SECURITY COMMISSION October 2025 imposed upon the executive director. When acting under the executive director’s supervision and direction, such staff personnel have all the powers granted to the executive director by this chapter. 39.10(5) When the investigation, audit, or verification provisions of this chapter disclose, in the opinion of the executive director, a violation of the Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct, or when the member of the bar of Iowa affected by the investigation, audit, or verification has refused to comply with the provisions of this chapter, the director must promptly report such circumstances to the commission. A copy of such report must be furnished to the member affected. 39.10(6) Client trust funds and property held by an Iowa licensed attorney whose law office is situated in another state are not subject to investigation, audit, or verification except to the extent such funds and property are related to matters affecting Iowa clients. State or federal funds or property subject to state or federal auditing procedures and in control of an Iowa licensed attorney employed full- or part-time by a state or the United States are not subject to investigation, audit, or verification under the provisions of this chapter. 39.10(7) The costs of performing a trust account audit must be assessed to the attorney or attorneys who are signatories on the account if the audit reveals the account was not in substantial compliance with Iowa Rule of Professional Conduct 32:1.15 or chapter 45 of the Iowa Court Rules, and one or more of the following circumstances caused performance of the audit: a. A claim for reimbursement was filed under the provisions of rule 39.9 based on the alleged conduct of the attorney or attorneys who are signatories on the account. b. A notice of insufficient funds to honor an instrument drawn on the account was reported to the commission under the provisions of Iowa Court Rule 45.4(4)(c). c. A complaint alleging an attorney signatory on the account committed a disciplinary infraction was filed with the attorney disciplinary board under the provisions of Iowa Court