#01
Hiring StageHigh Risk
The lawyer asks you to wire fees to a personal bank account instead of the firm's corporate account
Off-book Payment
Why It's Dangerous
Legitimate law firms must collect fees through a corporate account and issue an official invoice. Billing through a personal account is one of the most common and hardest-to-detect forms of misconduct. If something goes wrong, it becomes very difficult to prove the money was a legal fee rather than a private transfer.
Typical Scenario
A client was referred to a lawyer and asked to wire a large sum to a personal bank account, with no formal contract signed and no invoice issued. The lawyer later disappeared. When the client tried to file a complaint, there was no formal engagement record proving a legal services relationship ever existed.
* This scenario is illustrative, based on common patterns observed in legal disputes.
What To Do
1
Require the lawyer to provide the firm's corporate account; refuse to transfer to a personal account2
After paying, demand an official invoice and verify the amount and description match3
If you have already paid into a personal account, immediately save screenshots of the transfer records4
Check the lawyer's licensing status with the local bar association5
Check when their license was issued — distinguish between trainee, associate, and senior lawyersHave you experienced this?