PR Flashcards
DOL - Types of conflicts of interest (remember: can be current/actual and future/potential)
(1) Current clients
(2) Current client and former client
(3) Current client and prospective client
(4) Current client and 3P
(4) Current client and L’s own interest
Current clients rule
L can’t represent if
- one client’s interests are directly adverse to other OR
- sig. risk that rep. materially limited by other client
Current and former clients rule
L can’t rep. another person in
- same or sub. similar matter if
- interests are materially adverse to former clients
current and prospective clients rule
L can’t rep if
- interests are materially adverse to prospective client
- in same or sub. similar matter
current client and 3P or L’s own interests rule
L can’t rep if
- sig. risk that rep.
- materially limited by
- L’s responsibilities to 3P or L’s interests
Conflict of interests exceptions
- L’s reasonable belief
- Not prohibited by law
- Claims not against each other
- informed written consent (includes disclosure of conflict)
DOL: Org as client
Approach:
(1) Organization as client heading
(2) Repping both employee and org (L must remind employee that he reps org)
(3) Reporting up within org
(4) Reporting out
*Beware of DOC if employee told org that he did something (can’t share that info outside of org and perhaps can’t share that info with org if he formed A-C relationship with employee)
L representing corp/organization (report up/out) rule
- L acts in best interests of org only (unless there’s no conflict w/ constituents)
- If L knows associated person engaged in wrongdoing
- Likely to result in substantial injury to org
- L must refer up to internal higher authority unless not in best interest of org to do so
ABA only: if needed, refer out to authorities
CA only: cannot refer out unless death/sub. bod. harm
L as former govt employee
- may not represent privately
- L participated personally and substantially
- Unless informed consent from gov’t
Imputed firm disqualification
Conflict for L applies to entire firm unless:
- Conflict based on L’s personal interest, or
- Conflict based on a former client at a prior firm. Conflicted L must be timely screened from matter, and written notice provided to former client/certify compliance with procedures
NOTE: Client can waive
Compensation by third party
L cannot accept payment from third party unless
- C gives informed consent
- No interference with L and C
- Info remains confidential
Opposing L is L’s relative
Informed consent
Sex with client
Ok if pre-existing, consensual
L’s personal belief
Informed consent
Business transactions w/ clients or acquiring adverse interest ok if
- Terms fair/reasonable
- Terms fully disclosed in writing to C
- Advised to seek ind. counsel
- Informed written consent
Solicitation of gifts
- L can’t solicit substantial gifts OR
- Prepare an instrument that gives gifts
- Unless relative
CA: ok if ind. L or fair or no undue inf.
Acquiring an interest in litigation
- L cannot acquire
- Unless for fees or contingency in civil case
Financial assistance to client re: litigation (ABA)
- Only to advance court/litigation costs in contingency cases (repayment can be contingent on outcome if agreement is valid) and indigent clients (w/o repayment)
(advance costs = expenses of med. exam., costs of obtaining and presenting ev.).
*cannot advance costs up to 50% of the case value as these costs may not be exclusively for court costs and litigation expenses.
Financial assistance to client re: litigation (CA)
- can advance litigation costs
- lend money to C if C promises in writing to repay
Limiting malpractice (ABA)
Ok if C rep. by ind. lawyer
Limiting malpractice (CA)
Never ok
Settlement claims
Ok if advised in writing to seek ind. L
L testifying as witness
Generally not ok but ok if:
- uncontested issue
- nature and value of legal services rendered in case
- hardship on client if L not allowed (ABA)
- L obtained C’s informed written consent (CA)
DUTY TO COMMUNICATE
- Promptly inform client
- Status of case
- Promptly respond to client
- Communicate settlement offer to client
SCOPE OF REPRESENTATION
- L decides the means (legal strategy)
- C decides the objectives and goals of the representation and decides substantive issues: accepting pleas, offers, settlements, jury trial