"STEADY COURSE," MARCH, PAGE 65, paints an overly rosy picture of the status of client security fund programs. In fact, the ABA survey documents their continued failure to fully protect tens of millions of Americans. Arbitrary limits and inadequate funding in many states result in funds that only pay lip service to client protection. Consider California, where the fund will only reimburse a client with a token $ 35 regardless of the extent of the loss. Or Illinois, where the cumulative limit is $ 100,000--a number that amounts to less than $ 1.35 per attorney licensed there. Worst of all is New Mexico, where the fund has gone bankrupt and victimized clients are being shown the door. Nine other states have hidden all information about their funds, and numerous others offer only incomplete data. Until the profession recognizes the problems with these funds, there is little hope for improvement.

James C. Turner
Suzanne M. Mishkin
HALT--An Organization of Americans for Legal Reform
Washington, D.C.