A requested balance and an operating expense

A law firm receives money involving a client’s interest during ongoing litigation. A partner deposits it into a personal operating account, keeps a notebook entry and uses part for office expenses unrelated to that client’s case. The partner plans to replace the amount later. The client asks for the remaining balance and a detailed report before the litigation finishes. The partner says there can be no duty to account until all appeals end. No specific lawful retention right or contract exception is established in the facts. The analysis must apply the published separation, notification, supported-payment and reporting framework without assuming that intended repayment or a private notebook cures the problem.