Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT

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Preamble

A lawyer's code of conduct should serve at least three major purposes. First, it should provide guidance for the conscientious attorney who is unsure of how to act in particular circumstances. To some extent, therefore, such a code will be aspirational, and perhaps even imprecise, since it will point to goals not always achievable and will express values whose relative weights will depend upon innumerable variations in factual context.

 

A second purpose of the code should be to establish the basic rules of conduct, violation of which will result in professional discipline, and may result in civil action for malpractice. For that purpose, a code must be sufficiently precise to put the attorney on notice as to What is required, and to enable others to judge whether the rules have been met.

 

Third, a code of conduct that achieves those goals will serve to inform the public as to what conduct can be expected of lawyers. Thereby, the public -- the actual and potential clients whom we serve - will be given a basis for judging the norms that we have set for ourselves, and they will be enabled to take an active part in enforcing rules of professional conduct and in proposing changes that are in the public interest.

 

The format of this Code embodies an effort to make it as readable and as clear as possible. The Rules, which are intended to be used for disciplinary purposes, are written in declarative sentences in terms of what the lawyer "shall" or "shall not" do. The Rules are followed by Comments, which are not intended to be the basis of disciplinary action, but to enhance understanding of the disciplinary rules. In addition, when useful to avoid ambiguity or to resolve possible conflict between rules, Illustrative Cases are provided.

In formulating and interpreting rules of conduct for lawyers, it is essential to keep in mind the nature of the public interest served by the lawyer. Our form of government is a limited one, which seeks to maximize individual liberty within a rule of law. The fundamental legal structure, as it relates to the role of the lawyer, is in the Bill of Rights of the Constitution. Rules of conduct should be designed and interpreted so as to enhance those rights, not to inhibit them.*

The most obvious individual rights relevant to lawyers' duties relate to what we colloquially call one's "day in court" -- the rights to due process of law, counsel, and trial by jury. Also relevant are rights relating to self-incrimination, confrontation, bail, search and seizure, and cruel and unusual punishment. In addition, the right to litigate has become an essential aspect of freedom of speech and of the right to petition for redress of grievances.

Other constitutional rights bear significantly upon lawyers, responsibilities because of our commitment to the rule of law. As a result of the enormous volume and complexity of our constitutional, statutory, and regulatory law, ordinary citizens need the assistance of lawyers simply to comprehend and cope with the rules governing their actions. The lawyer therefore serves that most basic individual right, that of personal autonomy -- the right to make those decisions that most af f ect one's own life and values. Without professional assistance, the individual citizen is often unaware of the full range of choices available, and of the means to pursue particular choices.

*Compare Code of Professional Responsibility (1969), DR 2-103 (D)(5), which permits a lawyer to cooperate with the promotion of legal services by a non-profit organization on behalf of its members or beneficiaries, but only in those instances and to the extent that controlling constitutional interpretation at the time of the rendition of the services requires the allowance of such legal services activities (emphasis added).

The CPR thus violated First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and of petition for redress of grievances, as well as Fifth Amendment due process rights relating to vagueness. See also DR 7-107, and Model Rules of Professional Conduct 3.1 (f) and 3.8, which also seek to impose the strictest possible limits upon basic rights.

The assistance of counsel thus relates significantly to justice under law, in the sense of equal protection of the laws. Leaving each person to his or her own resources alone, without the assistance of counsel in comprehending and coping with the complexities of the legal system, would produce gross disparities in justice under law.

All these basic rights, individually and together, express the high value placed by our constitutional democracy on the dignity of the individual. Before any person is significantly affected by society in his or her person, relationships, or property, our system requires that certain processes be duly followed -- processes to which competent, independent, and zealous lawyers are essential. And if it be observed that the stated ideal is too frequently denied in fact, our response must be that standards for lawyers be so drafted and enforced as to strive to make that ideal a consistent reality.

The legal system that gives context and meaning to basic American rights -- the rights to autonomy, counsel, trial by jury, due process, equal protection, and others is the adversary system. It is the adversary system which assures each of us a "champion against a hostile world," and which thereby helps to preserve and enhance our dignity as individuals.

In addition, the adversary system provides the best method we have been able to devise to determine truth in cases in which the facts are in dispute. First, we assign to an advocate on each side of a case the responsibility to ferret out all of the facts, law, and policy considerations relevant to that side. The opposing positions, each expressed as fully and as effectively as possible, are then presented before an impartial judge and/or jury for resolution. Each advocate's position is also subject to searching challenge by an adversary, through cross examination and rebuttal. Thus, the partisanship of the advocates has two important effects -- it encourages thoroughness and accuracy in the development of each side of the case, and it permits the judge and jury to remain aloof from partisan involvement until a decision must actually be made.

Stressing the last point, a Joint Committee of the Association of American Law Schools and the American Bar Association issued a Report* concluding:

What generally occurs in practice [as evidence is developed] is that at some early point a familiar pattern will seem to emerge from the evidence; an accustomed label is waiting for the case and without awaiting further proofs, this label is promptly assigned to it. It is a mistake to suppose that this premature cataloguing must necessarily result from impatience, prejudice or mental sloth. Often it proceeds from a very understandable desire to bring the hearing into some order and coherence, for without some tentative theory of the case there is no standard of relevance by which testimony may be measured. But what starts as a preliminary diagnosis designed to direct the inquiry tends, quickly and imperceptibly, to become a fixed conclusion, as all that confirms the diagnosis makes a strong imprint on the mind, while all that runs counter to it is received with diverted attention.

An adversary presentation seems the only effective means for combating this natural human tendency to judge too swiftly in terms of the familiar that which is not yet fully known.

That conclusion comports with common sense, as well as with the judgments of trial lawyers and judges based upon experience in the courtroom. In addition, it has received significant support from scholarly experimentation.

Recognizing that the American attorney functions in an adversary system, that such a system expresses fundamental American values, helps us to appreciate the question-begging'nature of some cliche"s of lawyers' ethics. It is sometimes said, for example, that the lawyer is an "officer of the court," or an "officer (or manager) of the legal system." Out of context, such phrases are at best meaningless, and at worst misleading. In the context of the adversary system, it is clear that the lawyer for a

*Joint Conference on Professional Responsibility, Report, 44 A.B.A.J. 1159 (1958) (emphasis added). The Joint Conference was significantly influenced by the views of the late Professor Lon L. Fuller, perhaps America's leading scholar in jurisprudence and comparative law.

private party is and should be an officer of the court only in the sense of serving the court as a zealous, partisan advocate of one side of the case before it.

Further, the lawyer who litigates is not the only one who serves in an adversarial role. Lawyers function in an adversary system even when their clients are not actually involved in ligitation. Parties to negotiations are usually adversaries, and are always potential adversaries. The lawyer drafting a contract or a will must anticipate and guard against interests adverse to the client's that may exist or that may develop in the course of time. The lawyer who prepares tax returns or other documents for filing with the government can adequately protect the client's interests only by recognizing the possibility of an adverse reaction. Similarly, the lawyer who counsels a client about rights, liabilities, and legal choices must be conscious of numerous possible reactions of an adversarial nature.

Unquestionably, there are differences among cases involving litigation, negotiating, drafting, and counseling. Thus, the opportunities to withdraw without prejudicing the client's interests are likely to be greater in counseling than in litigation, and greater in civil litigation than in criminal cases. But the basic principle will remain the same - avoidance of withdrawal unless significant prejudice to the client can be avoided. We have therefore rejected the idea of writing this Code in separate sections for lawyers in litigation, negotiation, and so forth; at the same time, we have tried throughout to be aware of the variety of services lawyers perform, and to make distinctions when they appear appropriate.

In sum, the following American Lawyers' Code of Conduct has been drafted with a recognition that all American lawyers function in an adversary system, and with a commitment to strengthening that system as the embodiment of the constitutional values inherent in the administration of justice in the United States.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENT ON "KNOWING"

Disciplinary rules ordinarily are premised upon standards of knowledge. For example, a lawyer may be forbidden to make a representation when the lawyer knows the representation to be false. Clearly, then, the lawyer would not violate that proscription when the lawyer does not know the representation to be false.

Further, the enforcement of a rule may be more or less difficult depending upon whether the standard of knowledge is objective or subjective. It is far easier, for example, to prove that a reasonable person in a lawyer's position should have known certain facts, than to prove that the particular lawyer in fact knew beyond a reasonable doubt that certain facts were true.

Indeed, the most common device for avoiding responsibility, or for declaring apparently strict obligations but ignoring their violations, is to set an impracticable standard of knowledge. The clearest illustration is the lawyer who asserts that he would never knowingly present perjury to the court, but then observes that in years of trial practice, he has never "known" that perjury was being offered. Occasionally, the sophistry is added that one can never "know" what was true or false until the jury returns its verdict. This Code recognizes, however, that in the realm of both law and ethics, there is such a thing as acting on legal or moral notice.

Codifiers of professional rules have used a haphazard variety of standards of knowledge, frequently rendering the rules virtually meaningless for practical purposes. The Code of Professional Responsibility uses a subjective standard, such as knowingly, at least half a dozen times, and uses at least four variations on an objective standard, including whether the lawyer should know certain facts, and whether certain facts were obvious at the time the lawyer acted. There is no apparent pattern in the use of the several standards in different contexts in the CPR. In addition, it is usually unclear whether the lawyer is under a duty to seek knowledge.

An extreme requirement of knowledge appears in the ABA Standards Relating to the Defense Function, Section 7.7. There, a lawyer is placed under a particular obligation only if the lawyer knows of the client's guilt both because (a) the client has admitted guilt, and also (b) the lawyer's "independent investigation" establishes the client's guilt. Neither of those sources of knowledge is alone sufficient to establish the consequent ethical obligation. Accordingly, even if the lawyer's investigation established the client's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, Section 7.7 would still not be applicable unless, in addition, the client confessed to the lawyer.

Although criticism of the CPR and the Standards has pointed up the problem, the ABA's new Model Rules use at least nine different standards of knowledge, ranging from whether the lawyer, subjectively, is convinced beyond a reasonable doubt, to whether the lawyer, objectively, has information indicating that certain facts are so. In addition, the varying standards in the Model Rules are demonstrably inconsistent in their applicability. (See, e.g., Rule 3.1 [a] [31 .)

In the present Code, therefore, we generally use the words know, knowingly, and knowledge whenever the lawyer's mental state is relevant. As used herein, a lawyer knows certain facts, or acts knowingly or with knowledge of facts, when a person with that lawyer's professional training and experience would be reasonably certain of those facts in view of all the circumstances of which the lawyer is aware. A duty to investigate or inquire is not implied by the use of these words, but may be explicitly required under particular rules. Even in the absence of a duty to investigate, however, a studied rejection of reasonable inferences is inadequate to avoid ethical responsiblity.*

*E.g., when one of the Watergate principals, responsible for Republican campaign funds, was asked by a young associate why large sums were being turned over to Gordon Liddy, he has been quoted as responding: "I don't want to know, and you don't want to know."

In some instances, however, the lawyer may be required or permitted to act on the basis of incomplete knowledge of relevant facts. For example, the lawyer may be predicting future events, or may be compelled to act on the basis of assumptions or inferences because there is insufficient opportunity to ascertain all the relevant facts. In such a case, the standard used is the lawyer's reasonable belief or understanding.

I. THE CLIENT'S TRUST AND CONFIDENCES ALTERNATIVE

1.1. Beginning with the initial interview with a prospective client, a lawyer shall strive to establish and maintain a relationship of trust and confidence with the client. The lawyer shall impress upon the client that the lawyer cannot adequately serve the client without knowing everything that might be relevant to the client's problem, and that the client should not withhold information that the client might think is embarrassing or harmful to the client's interests. The lawyer shall explain to the client the lawyer's obligation of confidentiality.

1.2. Without the client's knowing and voluntary consent, a lawyer shall not directly or indirectly reveal a client's confidence, or use it in any way detrimental to the interests of the client, except as provided in Rules 1.3 to 1.6, and Rule 6.5. (Rules 1.3 to 1.6 permit divulgence under compulsion of law; to prevent imminent danger to life; to avoid proceeding before a corrupted judge or juror; and to defend the lawyer or the lawyer's associates from formally instituted charges of misconduct. Rule 6.5 permits withdrawal in noncriminal cases when the client has induced the lawyer to act through material misrepresentation, even though withdrawal might indirectly divulge a confidence.)

1.3. A lawyer may reveal a client's confidence to the extent required to do so by law, rule of court, or court order, but only after good faith efforts to test the validity of the law, rule, or order have been exhausted.

1.4. A lawyer may reveal a client's confidence when the lawyer reasonably believes that divulgence is necessary to prevent imminent danger to human life. In such a case, the lawyer shall use all reasonable means to protect the client's interests, consistent with preventing loss of life.

1.5. A lawyer may reveal a client's confidence when the lawyer knows that a judge or juror in a pending proceeding in which the lawyer is involved has been bribed or subjected to extortion. In such a case, the lawyer shall use all reasonable means to protect the client, consistent with preventing the case from going forward with a corrupted judge or juror.

1.6. A lawyer may reveal a client's confidence to the extent necessary to defend against formally instituted charges of criminal conduct, malpractice, or disciplinary violation brought against the lawyer or the lawyer's associates or employees.

ALTERNATIVE B

1.1. Beginning with the initial interview with a prospective client, a lawyer shall strive to establish and maintain a relationship of trust and confidence with a client. The lawyer shall impress upon the client that the lawyer cannot adequately serve the client without knowing everything that might be relevant to the client's problem, and that the client should not withhold information that the client might think is embarrassing or harmful to the client's interests. The lawyer shall explain to the client the lawyer's obligation of confidentiality.

1.2. Without the client's knowing and voluntary consent, a lawyer shall not directly or indirectly reveal a client's confidence, or use it in any way detrimental to the interests of the client, as the client perceives them, or as the lawyer reasonably understands the client to perceive them if there is inadequate opportunity for consultation.

1.3. A lawyer may reveal a client's confidence to the extent required to do so by law, rule of court, or court order, but only after good faith efforts to test the validity of the law, rule, or order have been exhausted.

1.4. A lawyer may reveal a client's confidence to the extent necessary to defend against formally instituted charges of criminal conduct, malpractice, or disciplinary violation brought against the lawyer or the lawyer's associates or employees, but only when the charge, claim, or complaint is at the initiation or insistence of the client.

Comment

One of the most difficult and delicate responsibilities of the lawyer in any area of practice is to establish and maintain a relationship of trust and confidence with the client. Frequently, clients mistrust their lawyers, are embarrassed about the truth, or assume that their lawyers would prefer not to be burdened with knowledge about illegal or immoral conduct. In order for the lawyer to provide effective assistance, however, it is essential that the lawyer know everything about the client's affairs that might be relevant to the problem at hand.

If the client were able to distinguish the legally relevant from the legally irrelevant, the useful from the useless, and the incriminatory from the exculpatory the client would have little need for the lawyer's professional training and skills. An' when the lawyer does not have all of the relevant facts, the lawyer's professional abilities are of limited value. Accordingly, the effective functioning of the lawyer client relationship requires complete candor by the client to the lawyer.

Such candor is in the public interest because only through the counsel a advocacy of a lawyer can each individual fully exercise his or her autonomy f realize other important rights under our Constitution and laws. Further, as ev, experienced lawyer knows, a substantial part of the lawyer's time is devoted advising clients that a particular course of conduct should not be followed on groL of legality or morality. Unless clients are candid with their lawyers, those crit functions cannot be served. The client's sense of trust in the lawyer is therefore v and the lawyer's obligation of confidentiality is essential to establishing and n training that trust.

The most obvious concern of confidentiality is, of course, with protecting client's direct communications to the lawyer. In addition, however, the lawyer be encouraged to seek relevant information from sources other than the client, through leads provided by the client, and unauthorized divulgence of such information to the client's detriment would seriously impair lawyerclient relationships and could induce clients to limit the scope of their lawyers' investigatory efforts. Accordingly, a "confidence," as protected by these rules, is any inf ormation obtained by the lawyer in the course of the lawyer-client relationship.

Since candor may be no less important in preliminary interviews, the lawyerclient relationship includes discussions between the lawyer and client to determine whether the lawyer will be retained by the client. Also, the obligation to maintain confidentiality extends beyond the lawyer-client relationship.

It is sometimes suggested that confidentiality is inimical to the truth-seeking function of our system of justice. That is true, however, only in a superficial and short-sighted sense. Certainly, under the adversary system, lawyers frequently have knowledge that the court or other parties would want to have. Most often, however, lawyers have such knowledge precisely because of the established rule of confidentiality. If we were to remove that safeguard, by permitting lawyers to divulge their clients' confidences, lawyers would come to have few truths to divulge at all.

Nevertheless, in some narrowly circumscribed exceptions, this Code permits lawyers to reveal some confidences. Such exceptions should reflect values of such overriding concern that some minimal systemic risk would be justified. Also, such exceptions should be limited to situations that arise infrequently, to further minimize the risk of impairing lawyer-client trust.

Even with consensus on those premises, however, the Commission was closef-Y divided on which exceptions to permit. Accordingly, two alternative sets of rules for Part I are provided.

The rules under Alternative A, set forth at pages 101-102, are more protective of confidentiality than are the Code of Professional Responsibility or the ABA's Model Rules. The exceptions permit divulgence, but do not require it, under compulsion of law; in cases involving imminent danger to life; to avoid proceeding before a corrupted judge or juror; and to defend the lawyer or the lawyer's associates against formally instituted charges of misconduct. (Rules 1.3 to 1.6). Also, withdrawal is permitted in non-criminal cases, even when a confidence might thereby be divulged indirectly, when the client has induced the lawyer to act through material misrepresentation (Rule 6.5).

The corruption cases are an appropriate exception because the corruption of the impartial judge or jury vitiates the adversary system itself. Also, since cases of corruption are infrequent, the exception should not have significant impact on the lawyer-client relationship. By contrast, cases of false testimony are more frequent, and the adversary system anticipates and is specifically designed to cope with false testimony through cross-examination, rebuttal, and observation of demeanor during testimony.

These rules reject the previously recognized exception permitting lawyers to violate confidentiality to collect an unpaid fee. The reason for that exception -- thE lawyer's financial interest -- is not sufficiently weighty to justify impairing confiden. tiality. On the other hand, a limited exception is permitted, but not required, when lawyer or the lawyer's associates have been formally charged with criminal c unprofessional conduct.

Rule 1.2 refers to using a confidence in a way detrimental to "the interests of V client." Here, as elsewhere in this Code, the interests of the client are determined the client after having been counseled by the lawyer. (See Rules 2.1, 3.1 and 3.2, t Comment to Part 11, and the Preamble.) If there is inadequate opportunity consultation, the lawyer should act in accordance with the lawyer's reasona understanding of what the client would perceive to be in the client's interest.

The rules under Alternative B (page 103) are even more protective of fidentiality. Rule 1.1 is the same. Rule 1.2 eliminates the express cross-referenc exceptions (although not all of the exceptions are eliminated), and adds an exreference to the definition of "the interests of the client." Rule 1.3 is the same, permitting the lawyer to divulge a confidence under compulsion of law. Omitted entirely are the exceptions under Rules 1.4 and 1.5, permitting the lawyer to divulge a confidence in cases involving imminent danger to life, and to avoid proceeding before a corrupted judge or juror. Rule 1.6 is retained in Alternative B (renumbered 1.4), but is considerably narrowed; it would permit divulgence to the extent necessary to defend the lawyer or the lawyer's associates from formal charges, but only when it is the client who has initiated or is insisting upon maintaining the charge, claim, or complaint.

Both Alternatives reject the formulation permitting violation of confidentiality in all cases of "future (or continuing) crimes." First, the category of "crimes" is too broad, including those that are openly done and relatively harmless, with those that are clandestine and involve life and death. At the same time, the requirement of a crime may be too narrow; if saving a life, for example, is sufficiently important to justify an exception to confidentiality, then the exception should not turn on technicalities. Further, the concept of future or continuing crime has proved unsatisfactory, particularly in suggesting that a failure to relinquish the proceeds of a past crime, or the refusal of a fugitive to surrender, might be considered a future or continuing crime, thereby permitting or even requiring the lawyer to violate confidentiality.

client that the client has killed a young woman and hidden the body in a woods. The lawyer goes to the woods and finds the dead body. Because the client could be implicated through his relationship with the lawyer, or even through circumstantial evidence alone, the lawyer tells no one about the body. The lawyer has not committed a disciplinary violation.

l(f). The same facts as I(e), but the lawyer, without authorization of the client, tells the young woman's parents. The lawyer has committed a disciplinary violation.

f(g). The same facts as I(e), but the woman is not dead. However, she is seriously injured and unable to help herself or to get help. The lawyer calls an ambulance for her, but takes care not to be personally identified. The lawyer has not committed a disciplinary violation under Alternative A.

I(h). A lawyer learns from a client that the latter is hiding out, in violation of bail or probation. The lawyer would commit a disciplinary violation by revealing the client's location to the authorities.

l(i). A lawyer learns from the client during the trial of a civil or criminal case that the client intends to give testimony that the lawyer knows to be false. The lawyer does not present the client's testimony as she otherwise would, but instead simply requests a narrative from the client and returns to her seat at the counsel table. On summation to the jury, the lawyer makes no reference to her client's false testimony, contrary to what she would have done had she not known it to be false. The lawyer has committed disciplinary violations, both in the manner of presenting the client's testimony and in the manner of summation.

I(j). A lawyer learns from a client during the trial of a civil or criminal case that the client intends to give testimony that the lawyer knows to be false. The lawyer reasonably believes that a request for leave to withdraw would be denied and/or would be understood by the judge and by opposing counsel as an indication that the testimony is false. The lawyer does not seek leave to withdraw, presents the client's testimony in the ordinary manner, and refers to it in summation as evidence in the case. The lawyer has not committed a disciplinary violation.

 

I(k). A lawyer represents a client charged with possessing narcotics. The client is acquitted. In the course of the representation, however, the lawyer has learned from the client that the client is regularly engaged in selling heroin. If the lawyer does not disclose the information about the client to the police, therefore, the client will continue to sell drugs, thereby causing death or serious bodily harm to others. The lawyer would commit a disciplinary violation by revealing the client's confidence.

l(l). A lawyer is retained by an insurance company to represent its insured, who is being sued in a personal injury action. Without the insured client's consent, the lawyer informs the insurance company of possible defenses of the company against the insured client under the policy. The lawyer has committed a disciplinary violation.

II. FIDELITY TO THE CLIENT'S INTERESTS

 

2.1. In a matter entrusted to a lawyer by a client, the lawyer shall give undivided fidelity to the client's interests as perceived by the client, unaffected by any interest of the lawyer or of any other person, or by the lawyer's perception of the public interest.

2.2. A lawyer may limit the scope of the matter entrusted to the lawyer, subject to Rules 5.1 and 5.2, which relate to the obligation to treat a client fairly and in good faith, and to make clear the scope of the representation.

2.3. A lawyer may accept a fee or salary from a person or organization other than the client, subject to Rules 2.1, 2.2, and 2.4.

2.4. A lawyer may serve one or more clients, despite a divided loyalty, if each client who is or may be adversely affected by the divided loyalty is fully informed of the actual or potential adverse effects, and voluntarily consents.

2.5. A lawyer representing a corporation shall, at the outset of the lawyerclient relationship, inform the board of directors of potential conflicts that might develop among the interests of the board, corporate officers, and shareholders. The lawyer shall receive from the board instructions in advance as to how to resolve such conflicts, and shall take reasonable steps to ensure that officers with whom the lawyer deals, and the shareholders, are made aware of how the lawyer has been instructed to resolve conflicts of interest.

In a society such as ours, which places the highest value on the dignity and autonomy of the individual, lawyers serve the public interest by undivided fidelity to each client's interests as the client perceives them.

That is not to say that the lawyer should ignore possible harm to other persons or to public interests, or assume that the client's choices would be made in narrowly selfish terms. On the contrary, in counseling a client, the lawyer should advise the client fully of all significant consequences that might result from particular courses of conduct, and that advice should include moral and public interest concerns along with strictly legal ones. The lawyer's ultimate fidelity, however, is to the client. By maintaining that fidelity, the lawyer acts in the highest public interest. (See Preamble, supra.)

Just as it would be improper for a lawyer to impose other values upon the client, so too the lawyer should not impose upon the client an adversarial attitude toward other people. For example, if two people seeking a divorce prefer to proceed in an amicable way with a single lawyer, it may be entirely proper for the lawyer to represent both at once. (Whether it would be prudent for the lawyer to do so, and risk subsequent criticism by one party or the other, is a matter of judgment for the lawyer.) Similarly, a lawyer might properly represent two or more partners, or codefendants in a criminal or civil case, or the driver and the passenger in an automobile negligence action against a third party. In each such case, the clients might well decide that it is in their financial interest and/or in the best interest of their personal relationship to conduct their affairs in a cooperative rather than an adversarial way.

The essential responsibility of the lawyer in such a case is to make sure that each party is fully aware of the actual and potential conflicts of interest, and that each voluntarily consents. One problem that should be addressed particularly is the effect of joint representation on the lawyer-client privilege under applicable law. Also, the clients should be informed of the likelihood that the lawyer would subsequently be disqualified from representing either party in any dispute that might arise between them.

One of the conundrums of professional ethics has been the responsibility of a corporate lawyer who learns from a corporate official that the official has engaged in illegal conduct, either against or on behalf of the company. In informing the lawyer, the official has assumed a confidential relationship. Nevertheless, the lawyer may feel compelled to inform the board of directors, which is generally regarded as the embodiment of the corporate entitity. If the board fails to take appropriate action, however, the lawyer may then feel an obligation to inform the shareholders (although the general public will then learn about the problem, to the likely disadvantage of the company). As the question is frequently posed, who is the lawyer's client in those circumstances?

Although it has not been generally recognized, the problem is, basically, a familiar and relatively simple one of confict of interest. The lawyer's difficulty is insoluble only because the lawyer has failed to inform the board of readily foreseeable conflicts of interest and to receive guidance in advance. On the basis of the board's instructions, the lawyer can then make sure that each interested party is informed in advance and is thereby in a position to seek adequate protection.

For example, the board might prefer to maximize candor between its officers and the lawyer, and therefore instruct the lawyer to honor the officer's confidences, even in reporting to the board. The shareholders would then be in a position to approve or disapprove that policy, or to relinquish their shares. As an alternative, the board might prefer to know everything the lawyer knows. In that event, the officers would be on notice that in some circumstances they might want to consult with personal counsel before disclosing certain information to corporate counsel. Rule 2.5 requires the lawyer to take the reasonable steps necessary to avoid the situation ii which the lawyer has awkward information, and cannot either disclose it or keep i confidential without betraying someone's reasonable expectations of trust.

Illustrative Cases

2(a). A lawyer represents a defendant charged with tax fraud. It is apparent to the lawyer that the fraud was actually committed by the client's wife, who has not been charged. The client insists that the lawyer conduct the defense without in any way implicating the client's wife. The lawyer would commit a disciplinary violation by violating those instructions.

2(b). A lawyer represents the accused in a criminal case. The lawyer interviews a potential witness whose story strongly supports the defense. Shortly thereaf ter, however, the lawyer learns that the prosecution has interviewed the same witness and has received a story highly damaging to the defense. At trial, the prosecution does not present the witness. The defendant insists upon calling the witness for the defense. The defense lawyer does not do so, because of concern with the conflicting story the witness has given the prosecution, and the lawyer's judgment that the witness will hurt the defense. The lawyer has committed a disciplinary violation.

2(c). A lawyer represents the driver and passenger of an automobile, who were both injured through the alleged negligence of the driver of another car in an intersection accident. The lawyer has not advised them of potential conflicts in their interests. The lawyer has committed a disciplinary violation.

2(d). A lawyer represents the plaintiff in a civil action. The case is one in which the defendant can be held responsible for the plaintiff's attorney's fees. The lawyer negotiates a settlement for the client, and also negotiates with the defense regarding the lawyer's own fee. The lawyer does not inform the client of the conflict thereby created between the client's interests and the lawyer's. (For example, the client might feel, if fully informed of the circumstances, that the liability settlement should be larger in view of what is available for the lawyer's fee). Because the client was not in a position to evaluate the settlement with full awareness of the lawyer's conflict , or to consider having additional counsel represent the client's interests in the negotiations, the lawyer has committed a disciplinary violation, even though the ultimate ;~ liability settlement and fee were in fact fair.

III. ZEALOUSNESS ON THE CLIENT'S BEHALF

 

3.1. A lawyer shall use all legal means that are consistent with the retainer agreement, and reasonably available, to advance a client's interests as the client perceives them.

3.2. A lawyer shall fully inform the client of a client's rights and possible courses of conduct regarding issues of substantial importance to the client, except (a) to the extent that the client has instructed the lawyer to exercise the lawyer's judgment without further consultation with the client, or (b) as provided in Rule 3.3.

3.3. A lawyer shall not advise a client about the law when the lawyer knows that the client is requesting the advice for an unlawful purpose likely to cause death or serious physical injury to another person.

3.4. A lawyer shall not knowingly encourage a client to engage in illegal conduct, except in a good faith ef fort to test the validity or scope of the law.

3.5. A lawyer shall not knowingly participate in unlawfully concealing or destroying evidence, or discourage a witness or potential witness from talking to counsel for another party.

3.6. A lawyer shall not knowingly participate in creating perjured testimony, other false evidence, or a misrepresentation upon which another person is likely to rely and suffer material detriment.

3.7. A lawyer shall not knowingly file a materially false pleading, present materially false evidence, or make a materially false representation to a court or other tribunal, except as required to do so by Rule 1.2, which proscribes direct or indirect divulgence of a client's confidence.

3.8. A lawyer shall not give legal advice to a person who the lawyer knows is not represented by a lawyer, other than the advice to secure counsel, when the lawyer knows that the interests of that person are in conflict or likely to be in conflict with the interests of the lawyer's client.

3.9. A lawyer shall not communicate regarding a legal matter with an adverse party who the lawyer knows is represented in that matter by an attorney, unless the lawyer has been authorized to do so by that party's attorney. However, a lawyer may send a written offer of settlement directly to an adverse party, seven days or more after that party's attorney has received the same offer of settlement in writing.

3.10. A lawyer shall not give a witness money or anything of substantial value, or threaten a witness with harm, in order to induce the witness to testify or dissuade the witness from testifying. However, a lawyer may pay a fee, including a contingent fee, to an expert witness; a lawyer may reimburse a witness' actual, reasonable financial losses and expenses of appearing; a lawyer may give a witness protection against physical harm; and a prosecutor may immunize a witness from prosecution in order to avoid an assertion of the constitutional privilege against self-incrimination.

3.11. A lawyer representing an interested party shall not initiate communicatio with a judge or hearing officer about the facts or issues in a case that the lawye knows is pending or likely to be pending before the judge or hearing officer, unless th lawyer has first made a good faith effort to apprise opposing counsel. If a lawyer had an ex parte discussion with a judge or hearing officer regarding the issues in a case, the lawyer shall fully inform opposing counsel of the ex parte communication at the earliest opportunity, except to the extent prohibited by Rule 1.2, which proscribes unauthorized divulgence of a client's confidences.

Comment

 

Except when ordered by a court to represent a client, the lawyer has complete discretion whether to accept a particular client. Once the lawyer is committed to represent a client, however, the lawyer has no discretion, short of grounds for~ withdrawal, to fail to provide the client with every legal recourse that is consistent with the retainer agreement, reasonably available, and in the client's interests as the client perceives them. When there is inadequate opportunity for consultation regarding the client's interests, the lawyer shall act in accordance with the lawyer's reasonable understanding of what the client would perceive to be in the client's interest.

The rules in this Part and elsewhere in this Code that emphasize the client's autonomy as a basic value assume that the client is competent to make the decisions at issue. Accordingly, the lawyer who represents a person who is incompetent is nol bound by the literal terms of those rules. Nor does it appear to be possible to drafl disciplinary rules that will adequately deal with the many variations that might aris( regarding clients who are altogether or in part incompetent to make decisions in theil own interest. Two guidelines can be stated, however. First, the lawyer's controllinj concern should be the client's interest as the client would be most likely to perceive i if competent to make the decision. Second, depending upon the circumstances, t4 lawyer might be well advised to seek guidance from other professionals, such 4 psychiatrists or social workers, and from members of the client's family.

The phrase "materially false" in Rule 3.7 means false and likely to affect th resolution of one or more issues before the tribunal.

 

Illustrative Cases

 

3(a). A lawyer represents the defendant in a bank robbery. The lawyer suggests that the client give the lawyer the gun used in the robbery and the stolen money, so that the lawyer can put them in a place less likely to be searched. The lawyer has committed a disciplinary violation.

 

3(b). A lawyer represents a client in a murder case. The client leaves the murder weapon with the lawyer. The lawyer fails to advise the client that the weapon might be more accessible to the prosecution in the lawyer's possession than in the client's, and that, if the lawyer retains the weapon, he will produce it if ordered to do so by a valid subpoena. The lawyer has committed a disciplinary violation by failing to fully advise the client.

 

3(c). The same facts as 3(b). The lawyer would not commit a disciplinary violation by returning the weapon to the client, unless the lawyer also encouraged the client to make it unavailable as evidence.

3(d). The same facts as 3(b). The lawyer would not commit a disciplinary violation by producing the gun in response to a subpoena, unless the lawyer failed first to make a good faith effort to test the validity of the subpoena.

3(e). A lawyer is conducting the defense of a criminal prosecution. The judge calls the lawyer to the bench and asks her whether the defendant is guilty. The lawyer knows that the defendant is guilty, and reasonably believes that an equivocal answer will be taken by the judge as an admission of guilt. The lawyer assures the judge that the defendant is innocent. The lawyer has not committed a disciplinary violation.

3(f). The same facts as in 3(e), but the lawyer replies to the judge, "I'm sorry, Your Honor, but it would be improper for me to answer that question." The lawyer has committed a disciplinary violation.

 

3(g). The same facts as in 3(e), but the lawyer is an assistant public defender, and the public defender has publicly announced that the office's policy is to refuse to answer such questions and to report every judge who asks such questions to the state Judicial Discipline Commission. For that reason, a refusal to answer would not be taken as an admission of guilt. The lawyer reminds the judge of her office's policy, and asks the judge to withdraw the question. The lawyer has not committed a disciplinary violation.

IV. COMPETENCE

 

4.1. At a minimum, a lawyer shall serve a client with skill and care commensurate with that generally afforded to clients by other lawyers in similar matters.

4.2. A lawyer shall take such legal action as is necessary and reasonably available to protect and advance a client's interests in the matter entrusted to the lawyer by the client.

4.3. A lawyer shall seek out all facts and legal authorities that are reasonably available and relevant to a client's interests in the matter entrusted to the lawyer by the client.

4.4. A lawyer shall give due regard not only to established rules of law, but also to legal concepts that are developing and that might af f ect a client's interests.

4.5. A lawyer shall keep a client currently apprised of all significant developments in the matter entrusted to the lawyer by the client, unless the client has instructed the lawyer to do otherwise.

4.6. A lawyer shall seek out reasonably available resources that are necessary to protect and advance a client's interests, such as experts in specialized areas of the law or experts in non-legal disciplines.

4.7. If a lawyer forms a partnership with a non-lawyer for the purpose of more effectively serving clients' interests, the terms of the partnership shall be consistent with the lawyer's obligations under this Code, with particular reference to Rule 2, requiring undivided fidelity to the client.

Comment

It is generally agreed that a lack of competence is unprofessional and that a code of professional conduct should prescribe competence. Drafting rules to that end, however, has proved difficult.

Canon 6 of the Code of Professional Responsibility proscribes the failure to act competently, but defines competence in circular terms as conduct that the lawyer "knows or should know ... is not competent." The CPR also requires preparation that is "adequate in the circumstances," but adequacy is neither defined nor given a reference point. Also, the CPR forbids a lawyer to "neglect a legal matter".

The ABA's Model Rules of Professional Conduct are also vague and so minimal as to provide little protection to the client. Competence is defined as "adequate competence," which in turn is defined in terms of "acceptable practice" by lawyers undertaking similar matters. What practice is acceptable, to whom, and on what standards is also undefined (except requirements for promptness and "adequate attention" to the client's matter).

This Code requires, at a minimum, a level of skill and care commensurate with that generally provided by other lawyers in similar matters. Recognizing, however, that what is provided by other lawyers may not always amount to an adequate standard of competence, the Rules prescribe specific duties that are defined in terms of what is relevant or necessary to protect and advance the client's interests, and is reasonably available. The client's interests are determined by the client, and delineated by "the matter entrusted to the lawyer." (See Rules 2.2, 5.1, and 5.2, permitting the lawyer to limit the scope of the matter, subject to requirements of fairness and good faith.)

V. RETAINER AGREEMENTS AND FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS WITH CLIENTS

5.1. A lawyer shall treat a client fairly and in good faith, giving due regard to the client's position of dependence upon the lawyer, the lawyer's special training and experience, and the high degree of trust which a client is entitled to place in a lawyer.

5.2. Upon being retained, a lawyer shall make clear to a client, in writing, the material terms of the retainer agreement, including the scope of what the lawyer is undertaking to do for the client, the limits of that undertaking, and the fee and any other obligations the client is assuming.

5.3. A lawyer shall not contract with a client to limit the lawyer's liability to the client for malpractice.

5.4. Lawyers who are not openly associated in the same firm shall not share a fee unless: (a) the division reflects the proportion of work performed by each attorney and the normal billing rate of each; or (b) the client has been informed pursuant to Rule 5.2 of the fact of feesharing and the effect on the total fee, and the client consents.

5.5. A lawyer shall not impose a lien upon any part of a client's files, except upon the lawyer's own work product, and then only to the extent that the work product has not been paid for. This work-product exception shall be inapplicable when the client is in fact unable to pay, or when withholding the lawyer's work product would present a significant risk to the client of imprisonment, deportation, destruction of essential evidence, loss of custody of a child, or similar irreparable harm.

5.6. A lawyer shall not give money or anything of substantial value to person in order to induce that person to become or remain a client, or to induce person to retain or to continue the lawyer as counsel on behalf of someone

However, a lawyer may (a) advance money to a client on any terms that are faii give money to a client as an act of charity; (c) give money to a client to enabl( client to withstand delays in litigation that would otherwise induce the client to s a case because of financial hardship, rather than on the merits of the client's clail (d) charge a fee that is contingent in whole or in part on the outcome of the case.

 

Comment

Rule 5.6(c) permits a lawyer to give money to a client to enable the client to have access to the legal system or to withstand delay as a form of coercion to settle on unfavorable terms not related to the merits of the case. A not uncommon practice is revealed, for example, in Abramson v. Kenwood Laboratories, Inc., 223 N.Y.S.2d 1005 (1961). There the attorney

frankly stated in the course of the ... pretrial hearings that he is "running a business." He indicated the generally known policy of his insurance carrier to offer payment in settlements of personal injury suits of sums less than what may reasonably be anticipated as the probable recovery upon trial.

That kind of practice conflicts most clearly with the fair administration of justice when the plaintiff is in need of immediate funds for food, housing, medical attention, etc., and is therefore under unconscionable pressure to settle for less than the claim is worth on the merits. In such a case, the lawyer contributes to the fair administration of justice by giving or lending the client funds that are necessary to enable the client to obtain a fair recovery on the merits of the case, uninfluenced by financial pressures resulting from delay.

 

Rule 5.6 (d) permits fees to be contingent in whole or in part on the outcome of the case. Such fees have long been recognized as proper when the client is a plaintiff in civil litigation. The principal reason is that, as a practical matter, most people would not be in a position to seek vindication of their legal rights, however meritorious, if litigating those rights could result in substantial financial loss as well as loss in time and the other burdens of litigation. Since there is little if any incentive to lawyers to take frivolous cases on contingent fees, such cases are screened out through a contingent fee system more effectively than they might be in a system based exclusively upon retainers. Moreover, any concern that contingent fees will induce unethical conduct on the part of lawyers seems fanciful. A lawyer unscrupulous enough to fabricate a case to earn a contingent fee will undoubtedly not hesitate to do so to earn a retainer or to establish a reputation for winning cases.

Similarly, there appears to be no justification, on ethical grounds, to forbid contingent fees to defendants in civil cases. Indeed, the only apparent reason for such a prohibition is that anyone who is worth suing is likely to be able to pay a retainer, and is effectively coerced into doing so because of the pending claim. Thus, a rule against charging contingent fees to defendants has every appearance of being less a matter of ethics than a restraint of trade. If a lawyer considers a complaint to be so lacking in merit as to justify basing the fee in whole or in part on the lawyer' succe in defending against it, the lawyer and client should be free to contract on that basis.

There is even more reason for allowing contingent fees for the accused in criminal case, because the accused who goes to prison, thereby losing any opportunit to earn a living, is far less able to pay a fee than is the accused who is acquitte Also, lawyers would accept such arrangements only when the defense appear sufficiently strong to warrant it, and the unscrupulous lawyer would be no more like to fabricate a defense to earn a contingent fee than to earn a retainer.

When a contingent fee is proposed by an attorney, it is desirable, although it not required, that a reasonable retainer arrangement be offered to the client in t alternative.

These rules do not preclude any particular mode or terms of payment, such credit cards or interest on unpaid fees. The lawyer may also accept in payment sha of stock, literary rights, or other property. The only limitation is that the mode terms of payment be consistent with fairness, good faith, full disclosure, and undivi fidelity to the client's interests, and otherwise be consistent with the provisions of t Code.

Rule 5.4, governing the division of fees by lawyers not openly associated in same firm, is less restrictive than any other provision or proposal known to Commission.

First, it allows a fee to be divided, without express client consent, if the division reflects the proportion of each lawyer's contribution to the work for the client, and each lawyer's normal billing rate. (Note that each lawyer would have been retained either by the client, pursuant to Rule 5.2, or by another lawyer pursuant to Rule 4.6, which requires the lawyer to seek out experts in specialized areas of the law to the extent available and necessary, with such notice to the client as is required by Rule 4.5.) Compare DR 2-107 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, and Rule 1.6(e) of the ABA's Model Rules.

Second, Rule 5.4 allows any division to which the client consents after being inf ormed of the fact that the lawyers intend to divide the f ee, and of the ef f ect of the division on the total fee. In addition, Rule 5.2 requires that this information be provided in writing, including the scope of what each lawyer is to do for the client. That requirement should be sufficient to prevent unfairness to clients.

It must be emphasized that the purpose of allowing fee-splitting is to encourage lawyers to refer clients to competent specialists. The ABA's Model Rules would continue the existing practice of penalizing such referrals outside one's own firm; even the Massachusetts and California rules prohibit a division that increases the amount of the fee but only when the two lawyers are not members of the same firm. Such a rule exalts the form of association over the substance of client consent and providing better service for the client, particularly in the context of recent increases in the number and size of multi-office firms. It prohibits some lawyers from doing something that other lawyers may do with impunity, and that many lawyers in fact do. It is more realistic to regulate a common practice than to prohibit it on a discriminatory basis, especially when the practice may actually improve the quality of service made available to clients.

 

Illustrative Cases

5(a). A lawyer represents the widow of a railroad employee killed in a switching accident; the railroad is the defendant. After many months, the case is near trial, but the plaintiff tells the lawyer that she urgently needs money for food and rent, and must therefore settle immediately for whatever she can get. The lawyer reasonably believes that she will receive substantially more in settlement on the eve of the trial or as a result of jury verdict. He therefore gives her money, with the understanding that she will pay it back only if there is a recovery in the case. The lawyer has not committed a disciplinary violation.

5(b). A lawyer advances litigation expenses on behalf of a client on the clear understanding, in writing, that the client will reimburse the lawyer on a monthly basis, and that the client will pay interest at a specified, reasonable rate for any amounts in default. The lawyer has not committed a disciplinary violation.

5(c). A law firm is counsel to a corporation. An officer of the corporation ask a member of the firm to represent him in a divorce. The lawyer does so, withou charging the firm's customary fee. The lawyer has committed a disciplinary violation.

 

V1. WITHDRAWAL FROM REPRESENTATION

6.1. A lawyer shall withdraw from representing a client when the lawyer is discharged by the client.

6.2. A lawyer may withdraw from representing a client at any time and for any reason if (a) withdrawal will cause no significant harm to the client's interests, (b) the client is fully informed of the consequences of withdrawal and voluntarily assents to it, or (c) withdrawal is pursuant to the terms of the retainer agreement required by Rules 5.1 and 5.2 of this Code.

6.3. A lawyer may withdraw from representing a client if the lawyer reasonably believes that continued employment in the case would be likely to have a seriously adverse effect upon the lawyer's health.

6.4. Unless the lawyer knows that withdrawal would result in significant and irreparable harm to the client, a lawyer may withdraw from representing a client if (a) the client commits a clear and substantial violation of a written agreement regarding fees or expenses, or (b) the lawyer encounters continuing and unavoidable difficulties in working with co-counsel.

6.5. In any matter other than criminal litigation, a lawyer may withdraw from representing a client if the lawyer comes to know that the client has knowingly induced the lawyer to take the case or to take action-on behalf of the client on the basis of material misrepresentations about the facts of the case, and if withdrawal can be accomplished without a direct violation of confidentiality.

6.6. A lawyer shall decline or withdraw from representing a client when such action is necessary to avoid commission by the lawyer of a disciplinary violation, unless such action would result in a violation of Rule 1.2, proscribing direct or divulgence of a client's confidences.

6.7. Whatever the reason for withdrawing from representation, a take reasonable care to avoid foreseeable harm to a client, including giving due notic to the client, allowing reasonable time for substitution of new counsel, cooper~ with new counsel, promptly turning over all papers and property to which the clie entitled, and promptly returning any unearned advances.

Comment

Withdrawal from representing a client is the termination of the lawyer's authority to act for the client. What that entails will vary in different situations. Some of the duties that attach at the time of withdrawal are stated by Rule 6.7; others appear in Rule 1.2, relating to continuing confidentiality, and Rule 5.5, limiting the assertion of attorney's liens.

Most of the Rules in this Part state the circumstances under which lawyers are permitted to initiate withdrawal, and the conditions that may circumscribe such withdrawals.

Rule 6.1 is absolute. The lawyer discharged by the client must terminate the representation.

It sometimes appears that this Rule is overridden by a court's refusal to accept the withdrawal of counsel. In such cases, however, the client has the right either to persist in discharging the lawyer, and to go forward without counsel, or to revoke the discharge. Continuing with an unwanted lawyer is a true Hobson's choice, but it is still the client's choice of that course that continues, or revives, the representation.

Rule 6.6 is not absolute, because the duty it embodies, that of avoiding violating the Code, is sometimes subordinate to the paramount duty not to reveal clients' conf idences. It should also be noted that Rule 6.5 allows indirect divulgence of confidences by withdrawal from a class of cases also covered by Rule 6.6, those noncriminal matters where the client has knowingly induced the lawyer either to take the case, or to take action on the client's behalf, on the basis of material factual misrepresentations.

A lawyer is forbidden by Rule 3.7 to knowingly present false evidence. Therefore, withdrawal from representation would be required by Rule 6.6 when the lawyer knows through a confidence that the client intends to present false evidence, and when withdrawal would not result in violating a confidence. When the lawyer's refusal to present false evidence would result in violating a confidence, however Rules 1.2, 3.7, and 6.6 require the lawyer to continue in the case.

Rule 6.5 permits withdrawal in a matter, other than criminal litigation, when the lawyer has been induced to take action by misrepresentations by the client, even though withdrawal might result indirectly in divulging a confidence. When the facts of a case fall within Rule 6.5, therefore, Rules 1.2, 3.7, and 6.6 are in part subordinated to i t.

Illustrative Cases

 

6(a). A lawyer representing the accused in a criminal case learns from the client that he intends to present a false alibi. The lawyer knows that he will be required to give an explanation to the judge if he makes motion for leave to withdraw as counsel; he also knows that the judge will take an equivocal explanation as an indication that the client intends to commit perjury. The lawyer nevertheless asks leave to withdraw, telling the judge only, "I have an ethical problem," or "My client and I do not see eye to eye." The lawyer has committed a disciplinary violation.

 

6(b). A lawyer represents a client required to file documents with a government agency. The lawyer comes to know that there are material misrepresentations in documents filed by the lawyer on the client's behalf, and subsequent uncorrected filings would further the misrepresentation. The client insists upon making the subsequent filings. The lawyer's withdrawal would cause no significant harm to the client's interest. The lawyer would commit a disciplinary violation by failing to withdraw.

 

6(c). The same facts as in 6(b), but the agency has a rule requiring a lawyer to give the agency the reason for any withdrawal. The lawyer would commit a disciplinary violation by withdrawing and thereby directly violating the client's confidences in making the required explanation.

 

6(d). The same facts as in 6(b). In addition, the lawyer was induced to participate in the earlier filing by knowing misrepresentations by the client to the lawyer; the lawyer's withdrawal would adversely affect the client's ability to meet important deadlines; and the lawyer would not be required to explain his withdrawal to the agency, but the agency would be likely to scrutinize the client's filings closely. The lawyer would not commit a disciplinary violation either by withdra or by going forward with the client.

VIL INFORMING THE PUBLIC ABOUT LEGAL SERVICES

 

7.1. A lawyer shall not knowingly make any representation that is materially false or misleading, and that might reasonably be expected to induce reliance by a member of the public in the selection of counsel.

 

7.2. A lawyer shall not advertise for or solicit clients in a way that violates a valid law imposing reasonable restrictions regarding time or place.

 

7.3. A lawyer shall not advertise for or solicit clients through another person when the lawyer knows, or could reasonably ascertain, that such conduct violates a contractual or other legal obligation of that other person.

 

7.4. A lawyer shall not solicit a member of the public when the lawyer has been told by that person or someone acting on that person's behalf that he or she does not want to receive communications from the lawyer.

7.5. A lawyer who advertises for or solicits clients through another person shall be as responsible for that person's representations to and dealings with potential clients as if the lawyer acted personally.

 

Comment

 

Access to the legal system is essential to the exercise of fundamental rights, particularly those rights relating to personal autonomy, freedom of expression, counsel, due process, and equal protection of the laws. Yet members of the public are frequently unaware of their need for legal assistance and of its availability. It is therefore important for lawyers to provide members of the public with information regarding the availability of lawyers to serve them, the ways in which legal services can be useful, and the costs of legal services. Lawyers are therefore encouraged to advertise and to solicit clients, subject only to restrictions relating to false and misleading representations, harassment, violation of reasonable time and place regulations, and inducing violations by others of contractual or other legal obligations.

Solicitation refers to spoken communication, in person or by telephone, intende to induce the other person to become a client.

 

Illustrative Cases

7(a). A lawyer advertises truthfully that she has been certified as a specialist in international law by the Trans-World Bar Association, which is a bona fide association of lawyers imposing substantive requirements for certification as a specialist. The lawyer has not committed a disciplinary violation.

 

7(b). A lawyer advertises truthfully that he has been certified as a specialist in Family Law by the State Lawyers Association. The membership of the State Lawyers Association consists only of the lawyer himself, his two partners, and his neighbor. The advertisement is materially misleading, and the lawyer has committed a disciplinary violation.

7(c). A lawyer telephones the fifteen-year-old victim of a recent automobile accident, and is told by her parents that they are arranging for legal representation for their daughter, that she is in the hospital, and that they do not want him to contact her. The lawyer nevertheless calls upon the girl in the hospital and attempts to induce her to retain him. The lawyer has committed a disciplinary violation.

 

7(d). A lawyer visits the fifteen-year-old victim of an automobile accident in the hospital, and she retains him on reasonable terms for work he is competent to perform. He has not been instructed not to visit the girl, and the hospital has no regulations against solicitation of patients by lawyers. The lawyer has not committed a disciplinary violation.

Note: A client can discharge a lawyer with or without cause. The liability of the client to the lawyer in that event is a matter of state contract law.

7(e). A lawyer offers a hospital orderly a fee to distribute his professional cards to patients. The hospital has a rule against such conduct by its personnel. The lawyer has committed a disciplinary violation.

VIII. MAINTAINING PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY AND COMPETENCE

 

8.1. A lawyer shall not engage in unlawful conduct of a kind that creates a substantial doubt that the lawyer will comply with this Code of Conduct.

8.2. Subject to Rule 1.2, proscribing unauthorized divulgence of a client's confidences, a lawyer who knows that a lawyer or judge has committed a disciplinary violation, or who has material, adverse information about a candidate for the bar, shall convey that knowledge to the appropriate disciplinary or admission authorities.

8.3. When a lawyer has represented a client, or when, because of the lawyer's association with a law firm, a client of that firm could reasonably believe that the lawyer has had access to the client's confidences, the lawyer shall not thereafter accept employment by any other party whose interests are in any way adverse to the client's and could be materially affected by the lawyer's presumed knowledge of the client's confidences.

8.4. When a lawyer knows that the lawyer's testimony is likely to be offered on a material, disputed issue in a case, the lawyer shall decline or withdraw from representation in the case, unless doing so would cause serious and irreparable injury to the client.

8.5. When a lawyer is disqualified from representing a client under Rule 8.3 or 8.4, no partner or associate of that lawyer, and no one with an of counsel relation to the lawyer, shall represent the client.

8.6.When a lawyer is disqualified by Rule 8.3, 8.4, or 8.5 from representing a client, the disqualification may be waived by the voluntary and informed consent of each person whose interests are protected by the applicable rule.

8.7. A lawyer shall not enter into a commercial transaction or other business relationship with a person who is or was recently a client, unless that person is represented by independent counsel. This Rule does not affect the specific transactions covered by Part V of this Code, relating to retainer agreements and financial arrangements with clients.

8.8. A lawyer shall not commence having sexual relations with a client during the lawyer-client relationship.

8.9. A lawyer shall not act as officer or director of a publicly held corporatiol that is a client of the lawyer, of the lawyer's partner or associate, or of any firm a attorney with whom the lawyer has an of counsel relationship.

8.10. A lawyer serving on the board of a charitable or public organization sha not participate in discussing or voting upon any matter before the board that 9 lawyer knows might materially affect the interests of a client of the lawyer or of t] lawyer's firm.

8.11. A lawyer shall not participate in arranging for a gift from a client to j lawyer, to a member of the lawyer's family, or to one who is a partner, associate, or counsel to the lawyer.

8.12. When a lawyer holds money or property in whole or in part for the ben of someone else, the lawyer shall hold it in trust, separate from the lawyer's money and property, and appropriately identified, recorded, and safeguarded. When another person becomes entitled to receive any part of the money or property, the lawyer shall promptly deliver it to that person. If a dispute develops regarding entitlement to any part of the money or property, the lawyer may take action in accordance with applicable law, such as by depositing with a court the money or property that is in dispute, pending determination of the dispute.

8.13. A lawyer shall not enter into an agreement that unreasonably restricts a lawyer's right to practice law or to communicate with members of the public, and which thereby interferes with the freedom of clients to obtain counsel of their choice. However, lawyers in a partnership or similar professional relationship may make reasonable agreements regarding the allocation of fees among themselves with respect to clients who elect to continue with one or another lawyer upon termination of the professional relationship between the lawyers.

8.14. A lawyer shall not knowingly assist or seek to induce a disciplinary violation by another lawyer.

8.15. A lawyer shall take reasonable care to assure that none of the lawyer's partners, associates, or employees commits an act that would be a disciplinary violation if committed by the lawyer.

Comment

Satisfying each person's sense of justice is a high value in a society that respects the dignity of the individual. In addition, public confidence in the administration of justice is necessary to maintain respect for law. For those reasons, it is a truism that justice must not only be done but that it must be seen to be done.

The role of lawyers is an essential element of the administration of justice, and rules of lawyers' conduct define that role. Accordingly, lawyers must not only comply with rules of prQfessional conduct; they must also be seen as complying with them. For the profession to promulgate ethical rules, and yet appear to wink at violations, can only result in disrespect for the profession and, thereby, in disrespect for the administration of justice. Thus, the concept that a lawyer should avoid the appearance of impropriety is an extremely important one. Even more so than with other important concepts of professional conduct, however, the problem of drafting has been an exceedingly difficult one.

For example, Canon 9 of the Code of Professional Responsibility provides that "A Lawyer Should Avoid Even the Appearance of Professional Impropriety." Except for a few specific proscriptions, however (such as commingling funds), the canon is given no content. What is an impropriety? To whom must there appear to be one? To what degree of certainty? On what facts? (Also, since a conflict of interest under the CPR depends in part upon appearances, a lawyer could be disciplined for the doubly vague offense of apparently being guilty of what appears to be an impropriety.)

In an early draft of this Code, the Reporter attempted to cope with those problems with the following provision:

A lawyer shall avoid acting in such a way that a fair-minded person, knowing all of the relevant facts that are readily available, would conclude that, in the generality of such cases, disciplinary violations are likely to occur in a significant number of instances.

Thus, the appearance is viewed from the perspective of a fair-minded person, not that of either a naif or a cynic. The appearance depends upon the facts readily available. The question is not whether the lawyer has in fact acted improperly, since the issue of appearances ordinarily arises in situations in which the impropriety would be extremely difficult to detect or to prove. The focus is on the generality of such cases, and whether improprieties are likely to occur in a significant number of instances.

Phrased otherwise: lawyers should avoid situations in which temptation and opportunity for wrongdoing are high, and detection or proof of wrongdoing would be difficult -- situations, that is, in which common sense and experience inform us that a significant number of people will not be able to resist temptation. An obvious example is the lawyer v - puts the client's funds into the lawyer's checking account.

The Commission accepted the proposed Rule as an aspirational guide, but found it too vague to be an acceptable basis for disciplinary action. Instead, this Part consists solely of rules proscribing particular conduct that gives rise to reasonable inferences of impropriety.

For example, Rule 8.8 forbids a lawyer to commence having sexual relations with a client during the lawyer-client relationship. This rule, like Rule 5.1, recognizes the dependency of a client upon a lawyer, the high degree of trust that a client is entitled to place in a lawyer, and the potential for unfair advantage in such a relationship. Other professionals, such as psychiatrists, have begun to face up to analogous problems.

Rule 8.1 provides for discipline of a lawyer who, either as a lawyer or as a private citizen, engages in unlawful conduct not specifically covered by other provisions of this Code. It provides that unlawful conduct should result in professional discipline only if it is relevant to one's performance as a lawyer.

In setting the standard, an effort has again been made to avoid unfairly vague terms. The elusive concept of moral turpitude is not used, nor is the undefined standard of "fitness to practice law." To warrant professional sanctions, the conduct must be unlawful -- a felony, misdemeanor, or violation of rule of court -- and must be of a kind that creates a substantial doubt that the lawyer will comply with the rules of conduct required of lawyers.

This Code does not have a rule requiring each lawyer to do a particular amount of uncompensated public interest or pro bono publico work, on pain of professional discipline. That does not mean that the attorney members of the Commission are unwilling to perform such services or that the non-lawyer members do not want to share in the benefits of pro bono work. Rather, it is apparent to the Commission that such a rule would be unenforceable and unenforced, and therefore hypocritical.

One good reason for the unenforceability of a pro bono rule is the inherent vagueness of any such rule. What is "in the public interest," and who is to decide? Are services contributed to the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Enterprise Institute, or the Anti-Trust Section of the local bar association "in the public interest"? Nor is it clear that the organized bar, or the courts or legislatures, should be telling lawyers how they must spend their non-business time. If a lawyer prefers to do work for his church or synagogue, or contribute non-professional services to the Red Cross or to a famine relief organization, it seems absurd to say that the lawyer should be professionally disciplined for failing, instead, to serve on the board of a legal aid society or a bar association.

Certainly, there are failings in the administration of justice, and lawyers as a group can and should be helping to improve it. However, compelling a lawyer who is unsympathetic with poor people or with racial minorities to represent indigent minority group members is not truly a service to the clients or to the system of justice.

In sum, all lawyers should do work in the public interest. But some lawyers should not be telling other lawyers how much pro bono work they should be doing, and for whom, and disciplining them if they do not. Nor should codes of conduct purport to impose disciplinary requirements that the codifiers know will not be enforced.

Illustrative Cases

 

8(a). A lawyer represents the D Company, which is the defendant in an antitrust action brought by the government. Subsequently, the lawyer represents the P Company, which is suing the D Company in a private anti-trust action involving the same alleged violation. Unless the D Company has knowingly and voluntarily assented to the lawyer's representation of the P Company, the lawyer has committed a disciplinary violation.

8(b). The same facts as in 8(a), but another attorney in the lawyer's firm represents the P Company, and the firm undertakes to "insulate" the lawyer from any involvement in the case. Unless the D Company has knowingly and voluntarily assented to the insulating or screening arrangement, and to the other attorney's representation of the P Company, the other attorney has committed a disciplinary violation.

8(c). A lawyer expects to cross examine a witness who previously was acquitted in a criminal case. The lawyer offers to pay the witness' previous attorney to provide information, learned by representing the witness in the criminal case, that could be used to discredit the witness on cross examination. The lawyer has committed a disciplinary violation.

 

IX. RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNMENT LAWYERS

9.1. A lawyer serving as public prosecutor shall not seek evidence to support a prosecution against a particular individual unless that individual is identified as a suspect in the course of a good faith investigation into suspected criminal conduct.

9.2. In exercising discretion to investigate or to prosecute, a lawyer serving as public prosecutor shall not show favoritism for, or invidiously discriminate against, one person among others similarly situated.

9.3. A lawyer serving as public prosecutor shall not seek or sign formal charges, or proceed to trial, unless a fair-minded juror could conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty, on the basis of all of the facts that are known to the prosecutor and likely to be admissible into evidence.

9.4. A lawyer serving as public prosecutor before a grand jury shall not interfere with the independence of the grand jury, preempt a function of the grand jury, or use the processes of the grand jury for purposes not approved by the grand jury.

9.5. A lawyer serving as public prosecutor shall not use unconscionable pressures in plea bargaining, such as charging the accused in several counts for what is essentially a single offense, or charging the accused with a more serious offense than is warranted under Rule 9.3.

9.6. A lawyer serving as public prosecutor shall not condition a dismissal, nolle prosequi, or similar action on the accused's relinquishment of constitutional rights, or of rights against the government, a public official, or any other person, other than relinquishment of those rights inherent in pleading not guilty and proceeding to trial.

9.7. A lawyer serving as public prosecutor shall promptly make available to defense counsel, without request for it, any information that the prosecutor knows is likely to be usef