PR Flashcards
(152 cards)
Lawyer/Client Relationship
No duty to accept representation
Unless court appointment
Lawyer may decline court appointed representation if
Could not handle matter competently
Rep would result in improper conflict of interest, or
Acceptance unreasonably burdensome
Formation of Lawyer/Client Relationship
Begins when client reasonably
Believes relationship exists
No writing is required
Scope of Lawyer/Client Relationship
Client determines objectives of rep
Lawyer decides means to reach objectives
Can be negotiated including duration
Limitation must be reasonable and client must provide informed consent
Power of Lawyer
Decides such things as strategy including manner, scope of x-exam and choosing theory for case
Power of Client
Decides such things as accept settlement, testify, right to trial and entry of plea
Termination of Lawyer/Client Relationship
May withdraw from representation if circumstances allow but duty to mitigate and lessen adverse impact upon client
Mandatory Withdrawal
Violation
Attorney Health
Client Bad Faith
Discharged by Client
Violation Mandatory Withdrawal
MUST withdraw if failure would result in violation of rules of ethics or OTHER LAW
Based upon client’s course of conduct
Client must DEMAND not just suggest
CA Violation Mandatory Withdrawal
Must withdraw if knows or reasonably should know rep would result in violation of PR rules and not other law
Attorney Health Mandatory Withdrawal
MUST withdraw if physical or mental condition MATERIALLY IMPAIRS ability to represent client
CA Attorney Health Mandatory Withdrawal
Physical or mental condition renders UNREASONABLY DIFFICULT to carry out effective rep
Client Bad Faith Mandatory Withdrawal
Lawyer knows or reasonably should know client is asserting claim or defense without probable cause for purpose of harassing or maliciously injuring person
Discharge by Client Mandatory Withdrawal
Has absolute right to discharge for any reason if client has severely diminished capacity
Lawyer MAY take reasonably necessary protective action to guard client’s interests
No Harm Permissive Withdrawal
Can do so without harming the client
CA No Harm Permissive Withdrawal
Not allowed
Harm to client Permissive Withdrawal
Client persists in course of action reasonably believes criminal or fraudulent
Learns client used previous services to perpetrate crime or fraud
Insists on course of action lawyer finds repugnant or fundamental disagreement
Client fails substantially to fulfill obligation regarding services
Rep will result in unreasonable financial burden
Client has made representation unreasonably difficult for lawyer, or
Other good cause exists
CA Harm to client Permissive Withdrawal
Client insists on presenting claim or defense not warranted under law and cannot be supported by good-faith argument for an extension, modification, or reversal of law
Client seeks to pursue criminal or fraudulent course of conduct or has used lawyer’s services to advance
Client insists lawyer pursue course of conduct criminal or fraudulent
Client renders unreasonably difficult to carry out rep effectively
Client breaches material term with lawyer relating to rep
Client knowingly and freely assents
Inability to work with co-counsel indicates best interests of client likely served by withdrawal
Lawyer’s mental or physical condition renders difficult for lawyer to carry out rep effectively
Continuation of rep likely to result in violation of these rules or SBA, or
Lawyer believes in good faith other good cause
Procedure to Withdraw
Must give client reasonable notice
Prior to withdrawing and get court approval
If litigation is pending
MR Procedure to Withdraw
Court order may require continuation of rep
Duties Upon L/C Termination
Take reasonable measures to minimize harm done to client and return all papers and property and refund any part of a fee paid not earned
CA Duties Upon L/C Termination
True retainer does not have to be refunded used to ensure availability of lawyer for matter
MR Fees
Must charge fees reasonable Under circumstances Court considers Difficulty of case Preclusion of other employment Nature of relationship and fee arrangement Expertise of attorney Fee charged in locality
CA Fees
Not charge illegal or unconscionable fees
Unconscionability based upon facts and circumstances existing at time agreement