CA Rules Flashcards
What Duties do Attornies Owe to Clients - 5 Rules
Duty of:
1. Confidentiality
2. Loyalty
3. Financial Responsibility
4. Compentence
5. Communication
What Duties do Attornies Owe to the Court and Public?
Duty of:
1. Candor
2. Fairness
3. Decorum
4. Special Duties of Prosecutors
What Duty do Attornies Owe to Clients AND the Public?
Duty to Withdraw
Best way to start PR answer and order?
Establishing Attorney-Client Relationship exists and then chronologically by event
Rule for Attorney Client Relationship with Indvidual
An attorney client relationship begins when the client retains the attorney to represent her.
ABA and CARPC
Attorney-Client Relationship with Organization
An attorney who represents an organization represents the entity, not the employees and must act in the best of the entity, even if an officer, employee or other associated person acts to the contrary.
ABA and CARPC
Role of Attorney and Client
An attorney controls the means of the representation while the client controls the ends.
ABA and CARPC
Duty of Loyalty
An attorney owes duty of loyalty to her client. If an interest of another client, the attorney, or a third party materially limits or is adverse to the attorney’s loyal representation, a COI exists. – then add rule for the type of conflict.
ABA and CA
Conflicts Between or Among Clients – 7 Types
- Opposite Sides in the Same Proceeding
- Opposing a Current Client in Another Matter
- Two Clients with Inconsistent Positions
- Representing Multiple Parties in the Same Matter
- New Clients in Matters Related to Former Clients
- Former Government Attorney in Private Practice
- Prospective Client and Current Client
Opposite Sides in the Same Proceeding
It is per se unreasonable to represent opposing parties in the same matter.
ABA and CA
Opposing a Current Client in Another Matter - ABA
Under the ABA, an attorney must obtain consent of all clients when she seeks to represent someone in a matter adverse to another current client.
Two Clients with Inconsistent Positions
Generally, inconsistent positions do not amount to a conflict; however, it may create a conflict when a client would be disadvantages, in which case the attorney must obtain consent from both clients.
Opposing a Current Client in Another Matter - CA
Under CA rules, no conflict exists when an attorney represents a policyholder and his insurance company as joint clients and the insurer’s interest is only for indemnity.
Representing Multiple Parties in the Same Matter
A potential conflict exists when an attorney represents multiple parties in the same matter. An attorney who represents a corporation and any of its shareholders, directors, officers, or shareholders in the same matter creates at least a potential conflict.
New Clients in Matters Related to Former Clients
An attorney may not take on a new client when that client’s interests are materially adverse to a former client unless the attorney obtains written consent from the former client.
Former Government Attorney in Private Practice - ABA
The ABA bars a former government attorney who worked personally and substantially on a matter from working on that same matter later in private practice. Under the ABA, other members of the former government attorney’s firm may work on the case when:
* (1) the conflicted attorney is screened from the matter,
* (2) the conflicted attorney does not share in the fees from that matter, and
* (3) the former government employer is informed of the conflict.
Former Government Attorney in Private Practice - CA
In CA, prosecutors who worked on the case may not later work for the defense on that case. Although CA is silent on civil cases, case law follows the ABA rules on screening.
Prospective Client and Current Client
A potential conflict may exist when an attorney seeks to represent someone in a matter adverse to another current client. Under the ABA, an attorney must obtain consent of all clients when she seeks to represent someone in a matter adverse to another current client.
Conflicts Between Attorney and Client - 12 Types
- Attorney’s Personal Interests
- Sexual Relationships with Client
- Business Transactions or Adverse Interests
- Gifts
- Limiting Liability
- Publication Rights
- Loans to Clients
- Use of Information
- Trial Counsel as Necessary Witness
- Close Relationship with Adversary’s Attorney
- Conflicts from Third-Party Interference
- Relationship with Witness
Close Relationship with Adversary’s Attorney
An attorney cannot oppose a party represented by the attorney’s immediate family without client consent.
In CA, an attorney cannot oppose a party represented by the attorney’s relative without client consent.
Trial Counsel as Necessary Witness
An attorney may not appear as counsel and witness in the same trial unless:
* (1) the attorney’s testimony is uncontested,
* (2) the attorney’s distinctive value to the case means withdrawal would impose a substantial hardship on the client, and
* (3) if testifying would prejudice client, the client must consent and the conflict is imputed to the attorney’s colleagues.
In CA, an attorney may testify in any bench trial if the client consents in writing.
Use of Information
An attorney may not use confidential information to a client’s disadvantage without her consent.
Loans to Clients
The ABA bars all financial assistance to a client except litigation expenses for an indigent client and an advance of litigation expenses in contingency cases.
In CA, an attorney cannot promise to pay a prospective client’s debts; however, an attorney may loan a client money in all matters and for any purpose when the attorney obtains a written loan agreement.
Publication Rights
An attorney may not acquire rights to publish a client’s story until the attorney-client relationship has ended.
In CA, an attorney may acquire publication rights during the representation when a judge is satisfied that the client clearly understands and consents.
Limiting Liability
An attorney may not limit her client’s right to report the attorney for professional misconduct or to cooperate in an investigation. Additionally, an attorney may not limit her malpractice lability when entering the attorney-client relationship unless the client is independently represented with respect to that agreement.
CA bars limiting malpractice.
- If the client sues the attorney for malpractice, the attorney may not settle the case until the client consults outside independent counsel
Gifts
An attorney may not solicit a substantial gift from a client or draft a legal instrument that directs a gift to the attorney for a client who is not his or her close relative.
Business Transactions or Adverse Interests
An attorney may enter into a business with a client or obtain an interest adverse to a client when (1) the terms are fair to the client, (2) the terms and the conflict are disclosed in understandable writing, (3) the client is advised to discuss the issue with outside counsel, and (4) the client consents in writing.
Business Transactions or Adverse Interests - Partnerships
An attorney may not enter into a partnership with non-attorneys in providing legal services, which excludes non-attorneys from being partners, shareholders, officers, or possess any role that might control the attorney’s professional judgment.
Sexual Relationships with Client
The ABA and CA prohibit consensual sex between an attorney and client absent a preexisting sexual relationship.
Attorney’s Personal Interests
A conflict may exist when the interests of the attorney are adverse to the client. Under the ABA, purely personal conflicts are not a COI.
In CA, a purely personal conflict may amount to a conflict.
Relationship with Witness
Under CA rules, an attorney has a conflict of interest when the attorney has a personal relationship with any witness.
Conflicts from Third-Party Interference
An attorney’s duty is solely to her client. A third-party may pay an attorney for her services to the client when the client provides informed consent. An attorney must maintain all confidence as required under the professional rules.
Potential Conflict
A potential conflict exists when the attorney believes a COI may exist but the issue does not yet materially limit the representation. Under the ABA, there is no disclosure or consent requirements for potential conflicts. Under the CA rules, an attorney must obtain informed written consent when there is a potential conflict
Actual Conflict
An actual conflict exists when a conflict of interest materially limits the attorney’s representation of another client, the attorney, or a third party.
Representation Despite Conflict
An attorney may represent a client with who she has a conflict when:
* (1) the attorney reasonably believes she will be able to provide competent and diligent representation to each affected client,
* (2) the representation is not prohibited by law,
* (3) the representation does not involve the assertion of a claim by one client against another client in the same matter, and
* (4) each client gives informed written consent.
Difference in Converage of A-C Privilege and Duty of Confidentiality
- A-C Covers: confidential commuincation between A and C n
- Confidentiality: all information relating to representatio nand not generally known
When does A-C Privilege apply versus duty of condentiality?
- AC – Applies when Rules of Evidence Apply
- Confidentiality – ALL times
Effect of A-C Privilege versus Duty of Confidentiality
- AC – Defense agaisnt tribunal could otherwise compel
- Confindentiality - Forbids voluntary disclosure (but not disclosure required by law)
Duty of Confidentiality
An attorney may not reveal anything related to the representation of a client or use such information without her consent. This includes information a prospective client relays to an attorney, even if the prospective client does not retain the attorney.
Exceptions to Duty of Confidentiality
- Consent
- Attorney Defending Herself
- Conflicts Check
- Death of Substantial Bodily Harm
- Crime / / Fraud Causing Financial Injury
Confidentiality Exception: Consent
An attorney may reveal otherwise confidential information when the client consents. A client may impliedly consent when the representation requires the attorney to reveal some confidential information to the extent necessary to effectively represent the client.
Confidentiality Exception: Attorney Defending Herself
An attorney may reveal otherwise confidential information to establish a claim or defense when a client (1) sues the attorney for malpractice, (2) brings a disciplinary action against the attorney, or (3) when the client refuses to pay the attorney and the attorney must sue for fees.