How Can Lawyers Select Clients to Avoid Conflicts?
AvvyPro’s Best Practice 6(a) states: “Satisfy yourself that your representation of a client does not create risk of the representation being materially and adversely affected by your own interests, your duties to another client, or a third person.“
Lawyers can ensure they consider all of these conditions by adding them to a prospective new client checklist that explicitly encourages them think about and check off each before engaging with a new legal client.
This best practice supports the successful achievement of AvvyPro’s Professional Objective-6 for lawyers: “All necessary steps and communications are taken before accepting retainers with identified conflicts.“
You can assess yourself against this best practice and others that support this objective. Check out section 1 of the professional self-assessment for lawyers at the link below (free registration).