WebCredenza 2024 Ethics of beginning and ending client relationships

Substantial ethics issues flow from the moment an attorney-client relationship is formed, whether it is formed intentionally or through inadvertence.  Determining when a relationship commences and the scope of the representation has dramatic implications for issues related to confidentiality, conflicts of interest, the attorney-client privilege and more. Ending an engagement is nearly as complicated. When are you allowed to end an engagement?  And how must you go about it without prejudicing a client’s interest in a transaction or in litigation? This program will you provide a real-world guide the ethical issues of beginning and ending an attorney client relationship.

• Determining when and how a relationship starts – including through inadvertence.
• Email and technology issues – how unsolicited communications may trigger ethical obligations.
• Joint representation issues – unsorting the confidentiality and privilege issues.
• End a relationship – when are you allowed to end an engagement?  How do you do it ethically?
• Circumstances when you might be required to end a relationship.

Opinions and positions stated by presenters of MoBarCLE programs are those of the presenters and not necessarily those of The Missouri Bar. This program is intended as information for lawyers in Missouri, in conjunction with other research they deem necessary, in the exercise of their independent judgment.