How should lawyers handle client property according to Rule 1.15?

Under Rule 1.15, lawyers have a fiduciary duty to handle client property with the utmost care. This rule emphasizes the importance of maintaining accurate records concerning client property and ensuring that such property is safeguarded. Lawyers must keep client funds and property separate from their own to avoid commingling and to protect the client's interests.

Maintaining accurate records provides a clear account of all transactions involving client property, which is essential for transparency and accountability. This practice not only upholds the ethical considerations of representing a client but also protects the lawyer from potential disputes and grievances that may arise regarding the handling of client funds or property. Safeguarding the property is critical as it ensures that the client's assets are not lost, misused, or stolen, preserving the trust inherent in the attorney-client relationship.

In this context, the other choices do not align with the ethical obligations mandated by the rule. For instance, selling client property for profit or disposing of it without consent would breach the lawyer's duty to protect the client's interests. Similarly, although returning property immediately after a case is closed is a good practice, it does not encompass the full scope of duties lawyers have under Rule 1.15, which emphasize the importance of record keeping and safekeeping