Professional Responsibility Flashcards
What categories subject lawyers to discipline?
Competence, confidentiality, criminality, conflicts, and candor.
What acts can per se bring discipline even if not violating the rules or while not acting as an attorney.
(1) Crimes, or (2) dishonest acts such as fraud or misrepresentation.
What is counter to the administration of justice?
(1) Suppressing evidence, (2) knowingly aiding a judge in judicial violations, and (3) even just implying undue influence on public officials, (4) knowing or recklessly making a false statement about the qualifications of judicial figures or public ministers of justice, (5) discrimination or harassment in practicing law.
Which rules apply?
The jurisdiction where the offense occurs.
What is the building block sentence for responding to professional responsibility questions?
The lawyer has a duty of ____ to ____ .
What are the core duties owed to clients?
(1) Confidentiality, (2) loyalty, (3) financial responsibility, and (4) competence.
What are duties owed to non-client entities?
(1) Candor, (2) fairness, (3) dignity and decorum.
Other than clients, to whom do lawyers owe duties?
(1) Courts, (2) adversaries, (3) other lawyers, and (4) the public at large.
What is a good mnemoic for the duties?
Clients love fierce council; courts feel differently.
What does CLFC;CFD mean?
Duties to Clients:
Confidentiality, Loyalty, Financial Responsibility, Competence;
Duties to courts & other attorneys:
Candor, Fairness, Dignity & Decorum.
How are lawyer-client relationships formed?
(1) Express, (2) Implied agreement, (3) court appointment.
When is there an implied agreement with a client?
Attorney fails to decline when a person reasonably relies.
Why can an attorney refuse service to clients?
To any client for any reason other than explicit discrimination. Sometimes an attorney must NOT represent.
When should an attorney do pro bono?
There is no requirement, but it is encouraged to give 50 hours a year. A lawyer should not avoid being appointed without good cause however.
When must an attorney decline or withdraw from representation?
Violations of the (1) rules of conduct or (2) some other law; or (3) incapacity to competently to represent; or (4) the lawyer is discharged.
What are two additional requirements for in CA for client malfeasance justifying withdraw?
(1) acting without probable cause or (2) purpose of harassment.
When may an attorney withdraw?
(1) Will not affect clients’ material interests, (2) good cause, (3) mutual withdrawal.
What are some examples of “good cause” for withdraw or refusal? ✡️
(1) Persistent in fraudulent or criminal acts, (2) use of previous services to commit a crime, (3) failure by client to fulfill obligations after good notice, (4) unreasonable client, (5) client insists on repugnant action, (6) insistence on an action that imposes a financial burden on the attorney.
When must an attorney continue representation even if the client wants to fire the attorney?
In a court-appointed representation.
What does a client have a right to regardless of the client conduct at or leading to termination?
A client always has a right to receive their file and refund of money or property.
What must a lawyer not do for the client?
Assist in any fraudulent or criminal conduct. This is different from informing them of the consequences of their action.
What must the attorney do if the client insists on illegal conduct after being advised?
The attorney must withdraw.
What must an attorney do for conflicts between federal and state law conflicts?
An attorney must inform the client of the conflict. e.g. Marijuana
How may an attorney limit representation?
(1) If reasonable, and (2) client agrees in writing.
What must an attorney do when representing an organization?
Be clear in talking to individuals in the corporation that you represent the entity, not the individual regardless of their role in the organization.
What must an attorney do if there is a violation of the law by an individual?
The attorney must report the violation to a higher authority.
What must an attorney do if the highest authority fails to act to remedy illegal conduct?
The attorney is not required to do anything, but the attorney MAY report it outside the organization to the proper civil authorities. Except in CA.
When does California authorize outside reporting in an organization?
The attorney may withdraw, but may NOT report outside the entity.
What federal obligations of disclosure are put upon the general counsel in a corporation?
Disclosure of securities fraud to the SEC. However, in CA the counsel may still be liable for violating confidentiality.
What must an attorney do for a diminished client?
(1) Act towards them as normally as possible, or (2) take a protective action.
When may an attorney take a protective action for a diminished client?
If there is high likelihood of harm without taking action on their behalf.
What is the duty of competence?
(1) Knowledge, (2) skill, (3) thoroughness, and (4) diligence (5) reasonably necessary for representation.
What does CA have as a prerequisite for competence?
Mental, emotional, and physical capacity to be competent.
What must an attorney do if they are not an expert in a certain area of law?
(1) Withdraw unless (2) able to gain adequate knowledge quickly or (3) consult with another attorney or (4) in an emergency.
What are the liabilities of incompetence?
(1) Discipline from the bar, (2) disqualification in litigated matters, and (3) legal malpractice action.
When can a client bring a malpractice action?
Any incompetence even if the client is not harmed.
What is a violation of the duty of diligence in CA?
(1) Intentional, (2) repeated, or (3) reckless incompetence.
What is the lawyers duty of communcation?
(1) Explain the matter to the client to allow an informed decision, (2) reasonably inform them about the matter, and (3) promptly comply with all reasonable requests from the client.
What is the duty of communicating bargains or settlements?
You must communicate it to the client unless they have already explicitly previously decided.
When may an attorney withhold communication?
If doing so would reasonably lead to the client acting imprudently or harmfully and it must only be temporary. In CA it must involve a reaction producing imminent harm.
What does it mean to “inform” a client?
Adequately explaining the risks and benefits for alternative courses of conduct or probable outcomes.
What form of communication for informing a client is permissible?
Oral communication is permissible, so long as the attorney confirms their acknowledgment in writing.
What are the levels of informing consent?
(1) informed, (2) informed in writing, (3) informed and signed, and (4) informed and signed JUST for the diclosure.
What are the CA requirements for informed consent?
Informed in writing.
When do obligations to a client attach?
An attorney has obligations to prospective clients before a relationship is formed or even if that person never becomes a client.
What is the duty of confidentiality?
An attorney must not communicate anything related to the representation of the client without informed and written consent from the client.
What must an attorney do to preserve confidentiality?
An attorney must take reasonable steps to protect client information from any breach including electronic breaches.
When does the duty of confidentiality attach?
For all communications and matters regardless of whether the source of information or whether it would embarrass or harm the client.
What physical harms allow disclosure?
If the attorney reasonably believes the client will cause death or substantial bodily harm. In CA the attorney MUST first try to dissuade the client and warn them you will disclose unless it would be unreasonable to do so in the circumstances.
What financial harm sanction disclosure?
Reasonably certain to cause substantial financial loss if the client is using or has used the attorney’s services and may be used even after to remedy. No similar CA exception.
What is the SOS exception to disclosure?
An attorney may disclose the information to defend against malpractice or in bringing a claim against the client.
What is the confidentiality ethics exception?
Under the ABA only an attorney may disclose some information to discuss the ethics of representation with another attorney.
What are the disclosure exceptions?
ABA & CA: (1) Physical harm, (2) SOS, (3) ethics [limited in CA], (4) court order; ABA only: (1) financial harm, (2) illegal conduct.
When may an attorney disclose in a court order?
After the attorney first attempts to appeal the order.
What is the scope of attorney-client privileges?
For individuals, only those relating to legal services. For corporations, only those relating to duties. Other personal or business advice may not be protected under a court order. Much narrower than the PR duty of confidentiality.