-
Black Economic Leadership League Board
-
ABA Law Practice Division
-
ABA Law Practice Podcast Host
-
U.S. + International Availability
-
Law Firms + Finance Podcast Host
-
Bridging the Gap Conference Planning Council
WHY IT MATTERS
Financial systems aren't separate from ethics.
They are ethics.
Every major ethical risk in a law firm has a financial root. Terrell bridges the gap between the balance sheet and the bar.
Weak oversight is a supervision failure
02
Under Model Rule 5.3, lawyers cannot delegate responsibility — only tasks. Poor oversight of bookkeepers and CFOs creates direct ethical exposure.
Billing is an ethical obligation
04
Vague time entries, delayed invoices, and silent trust balances erode client trust and trigger disciplinary risk under Rules 1.4 and 5.1.
Non-payment triggers ethical chain reactions
01
Missed invoices create financial strain that cascades into violations of diligence, communication, and safekeeping rules — all under Rule 1.16.
Growth without systems creates risk
03
Financially unstable firms miss deadlines, mishandle trust funds, and burn out staff. Scaling without financial infrastructure is an ethics problem.
"Law firms don't get into trouble because they intended to violate ethical rules — they get into trouble because their financial foundation wasn't built correctly."
— Terrell Turner, CPA
from Above the Bar Financials
CLE SESSION CATALOG
Eight sessions. One through-line.
Each workshop pairs an attorney covering the ABA Model Rules with Terrell's financial expertise. All sessions are CLE-eligible and available as keynotes, workshops, or webinars. Click any session to see the rules covered.
ABOUT TERRELL
The CPA who speaks the language of lawyers — and the language of risk.
Terrell A. Turner, CPA is a High-Performance Environment Strategist and creator of the Golden AGE of Business High Performance Framework. He specializes in helping law firms build the financial systems that protect their license, their clients, and their future.
His unique position at the intersection of finance and legal practice gives law firm audiences something rare: a financial expert who deeply understands ABA Model Rules, trust accounting, and the specific operational pressures of law firm ownership.
Terrell's approach is systems-based, not motivational. He delivers frameworks that leaders can implement immediately — grounded in real financial data, practical compliance strategy, and the performance principles that drive high-functioning firms.
-
Chair, Law Firm Finance Committee — ABA Law Practice Division
-
Budget Officer, Executive Council — ABA Law Practice Division
-
Host — Law Firms + Finance Podcast
-
Host — ABA Law Practice Podcast
-
Co-host — The Unique CPA Podcast
-
Lead Finance Trainer — Association of Legal Administrators
-
Planning Council — Bridging the Gap Conference
WHAT ATTENDEES SAY