PR Flashcards
Loyalty
An attorney owes a duty of loyalty to the client, including the duty to put the client’s interest ahead of her own
Fairness to Opposing Counsel
An attorney owes a duty of fairness and good faith when dealing with opposing counsel
Scope of Legal Advice
An attorney has a duty to make all decisions re a case’s legal analysis and issues re procedure and strategy.
The client has a responsibility to make decisions re substantive issues of his case, including whether or not to go to trial, whether or not to accept a settlement, etc.
Duty of Competence
An attorney owes a duty of competence in her practice to her clients
knowledge, skill, preparation, thoroughness, training
CA: L subject to discipline if intentionally, repeatedly, and recklessly undertakes representation she knows is not competent to handle
Maintain Legal Activities/Conduct
Decorum
An attorney has a duty to encourage and insist upon her client to maintain the law and not deliberately tell lies or do any illegal activity
Withdrawal - Permissive
If an attorney cannot be adequately represent a client bc of his repugnant conduct, she must tell the client to refrain from such conduct. If the client does not refrain, she may decide to withdraw permissively from representing the client.
ABA: if based on repugnancy, she must tell the court specific reasons
CA: if based on repugnancy, she may not divulge specific reasons if at all possible, but try to describe that she cannot represent client bc of repugnant conduct
Think of unreasonably difficult clients
Confidentiality
An attorney has a duty to maintain a client’s confidential information even after representation ends
This duty begins even before representation begins and ends even after death
Obtaining a Pecuniary Interest in the Outcome of a Case
Under the ABA, a lawyer cannot obtain a pecuniary interest in the subject matter of a case other than in the case of a contingency fee arrangement or an attorney’s lien. However, in CA, attorneys’ liens are impermissible.
Misappropriation of Confidential Information
Loyalty
An attorney has a duty to keep client information confidential and to not act on that information for personal and/or illegal gains
To Prove Malpractice
Client would have to show that lawyer owed a reasonable duty of care, lawyer breached, causation of injury, and actual injury occurred as a result of the malpractice
Organizational Clients
Relationship/Scope
Under the ABA and Ca, if an attorney is dealing with an organization, it must act within the best interest of the organization. Duty is to the officers, directors, and SHs
Attorney sitting on Corp. Board
Loyalty
Under the ABA and CA, an attorney may not sit on a board of an organization, especially one he is representing, except if the organization of a non-profit
DOL/Conflict of Interest
Loyalty
If the interests of a former, current, or TP client materially limits the attorney’s representation, then the attorney must inform the client of an actual or potential conflict
If the conflict becomes an ACTUAL conflict, must gain consent in writing
Duty of Care
Under the ABA and CA, an attorney has a duty to act in the best interest of the client and must carry out the representation zealously and diligently
Duty to keep client informed
Under the ABA and CA, an attorney has a duty to keep their clients reasonably informed about the case
Limiting Liability Agreements
When L is contemplating entering to agreement that will limit their liability, the L must withdraw or
- advise the client in writing to seek independent counsel and give them a reasonable opp to do so
- disclose the terms of agreement in writing to the extent he can understand the limiting liability
Sexual Relationships - ABA and CA
The ABA prevents a L from entering into sexual relationships with client unless the relationship existed prior to the commencement of the action. Also prohibits if L allows relationship to affect representation
CA allows SRs unless obtained as a condition, by coercion or undue influence, or affected representation
Continued Representation despite competence - ABA and CA
If L does not have competence, can still represent if
- learns necessary material without undue cost or delay
- associates w an experienced attorney
- emergency situation
Fee Arrangement - ABA and CA
ABA: If L has not regularly represented client, L must communicate the fee preferably in writing within a reasonable time after start of action
CA: Fee arrangement must be in writing
Reasonable Fees based on…
Based on:
- difficulty in the matter
- the prevailing rate in the locale
- the length of the case
CA: does not allow unconscionable fees
Contingent Fees - ABA and CA
Must be in writing and state:
- how fee is calculated
- what expenses are to be deducted
- whether the contingent fee is on the net or the gross
- what the client would have to pay if they lose
Client Trust Account
A L must hold a client’s funds in a separate trust account. Any disputed amount can stay in the trust but all other amounts must go back to the client
Conflicts of Interest
A conflict of interest arises when there is a potential for the lawyer to not have the ability or capability to act in the best interests of their client, due to personal, professional, or inter-client conflicts
Despite COI - ABA
If one reasonably believes that despite the conflict they can still uphold their duty, they must disclose the conflict to the client and get written and signed acceptance
COI - CA
If there is a personal COI for the lawyer, the lawyer must only give the client written disclosure of the conflict
If ripens to actual conflict, then need to re-disclose with client for approval
Disclosure of Imminent Death or Harm
If a L finds out that their client is about to engage in the death or substantial bodily harm of another…
ABA: L may breach to inform appropriate authorities
CA: L may not immediately breach, first try to counsel client, then inform they will breach, then if no action or statement, L may breach
Disclosure of Confidentiality re Financial Harm
ABA: L may breach only if client is committing acts with or under L’s control - has to be serious financial loss
CA: L may not breach DOC
Retainer Agreement
ABA: require that the agreement specify the terms of the agreement, fee, etc.
CA: requires disclosure and written informed consent of the agreement
Post-withdrawal - Evidence
After withdrawing from a case, the L must return the evidence, documents and other information pertaining to the clients case, to the client (ABA and CA)
L Testifying - Attorney/Client Priv
A L may not be compelled as a witness to testify about matters that are protected by A/C Priv
A/C Privilege
A/C privilege provides that all confidential communications between an attorney and their client are privileged and therefore may not be disclosed by the attorney without consent of the client or another applicable exception
Confidential info only extends to the parties who are represented or parties to whom the L may need to assist them in their representation