A new formal ethics opinion has been issued by the American Bar Association (ABA). ABA Formal Opinion 510, provides guidance on avoiding conflicts of interest. Addressing Rule 1.18 of the ABA Model Rules, the opinion states that if a lawyer discusses a legal matter with a prospective client and does not ultimately represent them, the lawyer would be disqualified from representing a client who is adverse to the prospective client in the same matter. This opinion addresses the “reasonable measures” necessary to avoid the imputation of conflicts of interest under Rule 1.18.
A list of ABA ethics opinions, Iowa ethics opinions, and practice guides can be found on the ISBA Ethics Opinions webpage.
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