jane bond in…. applicable rules rule 4-1.6 – confidentiality rule 4-1.2(d) – criminal or...

ETHICS ARE FOREVER

Jane Bond in…

APPLICABLE RULES

Rule 4-1.6 – Confidentiality Rule 4-1.2(d) – Criminal or Fraudulent Conduct Rule 4-1.7 – Conflicts of Interest; Current Clients Rule 4-3.3 – Candor Toward the Tribunal Rule 4-1.16 – Declining or Terminating

Representation

CONFIDENTIALITY: FACTUAL ISSUES

L’s disclosure (to Felix Leiter Industries) of Jaws’ intention to change citizenship

L’s disclosure (to Jaws) of Bond’s intention to kill JawsFood for thought: What about disclosure to

police? Crowley’s disclosure (in front of Shields)

of an “ethics issue”

CONFIDENTIALITY (cont’d)

Rule 4-1.6, Confidentiality of Information

Rule 4-1.6(a) – A lawyer must not reveal information relating to representation of a client except as stated in subdivisions (b), (c), and (d), unless the client gives informed consent.

Rule 4-1.6(b) – A lawyer must reveal such information to the extent the lawyer reasonably believes necessary

○ (1) to prevent a client from committing a crime; or ○ (2) to prevent a death or substantial bodily harm to

another

CONFIDENTIALITY (cont’d) Rule 4-1.6(c) – When Lawyer May Reveal Information

A lawyer may reveal such information to the extent the lawyer reasonably believes necessary:○ (1) to serve the client's interest unless it is information the

client specifically requires not to be disclosed; ○ (2) to establish a claim or defense on behalf of the lawyer in a

controversy between the lawyer and client; ○ (3) to establish a defense to a criminal charge or civil

claim against the lawyer based upon conduct in which the client was involved;

○ (4) to respond to allegations in any proceeding concerning the lawyer's representation of the client; or

○ (5) to comply with the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar.


But remember…

Rule 4-1.6(e) – Limitation on Amount of Disclosure

When disclosure is mandated OR permitted, the lawyer must disclose no more information than is required to meet the requirements or accomplish the purposes of this rule.


Comment to Rule 4-1.6 A fundamental principle in the client-lawyer relationship is that, in

the absence of the client's informed consent, the lawyer must not reveal information relating to the representation ... This contributes to the trust that is the hallmark of the client-lawyer relationship. The client is thereby encouraged to seek legal assistance and to communicate fully and frankly with the lawyer even as to embarrassing or legally damaging subject matter. The lawyer needs this information to represent the client effectively and, if necessary, to advise the client to refrain from wrongful conduct. Almost without exception, clients come to lawyers in order to determine their rights and what is, in the complex of laws and regulations, deemed to be legal and correct. Based upon experience, lawyers know that almost all clients follow the advice given, and the law is upheld.

CRIMINAL OR FRAUDULENT CONDUCT: FACTUAL ISSUES

Initial memorandum on identify theft New memorandum on money

laundering New memorandum on complying with

Licence to Kill Analysis of the Licence to Kill

Food for thought: If killing is sanctioned by licence, is it a crime?

CRIMINAL OR FRAUDULENT CONDUCT (cont’d)

Rule 4-1.2(d), Criminal or Fraudulent Conduct

A lawyer shall not counsel a client to engage, or assist a client, in conduct that the lawyer knows or reasonably should know is criminal or fraudulent. However, a lawyer may discuss the legal consequences of any proposed course of conduct with a client and may counsel or assist a client to make a good faith effort to determine the validity, scope, meaning, or application of the law.


See, The Florida Bar v. Brown, 790 So. 2d 1081 (Fla. 2001)Failure to consider the legality of the client’s

request before providing counseling is a violation of Rule 4-1.2(d)


Comment to Rule 4-1.2(d) A lawyer may not assist a client in conduct that the lawyer knows or

reasonably should know to be criminal or fraudulent. There is a critical distinction between presenting an analysis of legal aspects of questionable conduct and recommending the means by which a crime or fraud might be committed with impunity.

When the client's course of action has already begun and is continuing, the lawyer's responsibility is especially delicate. The lawyer is required to avoid assisting the client, for example, by drafting or delivering documents that the lawyer knows are fraudulent or by suggesting how the wrongdoing might be concealed. A lawyer may not continue assisting a client in conduct that the lawyer originally supposed was legally proper but then discovers is criminal or fraudulent. The lawyer must, therefore, withdraw from the representation of the client in the matter. See rule 4-1.16(a). In some cases, withdrawal alone might be insufficient. It may be necessary for the lawyer to give notice of the fact of withdrawal and to disaffirm any opinion, document, affirmation, or the like. See rule 4-1.1.


Comment to Rule 4-1.6(e), Regarding Disclosures

The lawyer may have been innocently involved in past conduct by the client that was criminal or fraudulent. In such a situation the lawyer has not violated rule 4‑1.2(d), because to "counsel or assist" criminal or fraudulent conduct requires knowing that the conduct is of that character.

CRIMINAL OR FRAUDULENT CONDUCT (cont’d) The lawyer may learn that a client intends

prospective conduct that is criminal. As stated in subdivision (b)(1), the lawyer must reveal information in order to prevent such consequences. It is admittedly difficult for a lawyer to "know" when the criminal intent will actually be carried out, for the client may have a change of mind.

Food for thought: At what point do you disclose?

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: FACTUAL ISSUES

L represents Felix Leiter Industries L represents Jaws

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST (cont’d) Rule 4-1.7 – Conflict of Interest; Current Clients

(a) Representing Adverse Interests. Except as provided in subdivision (b), a lawyer must not represent a client if:

○ (1) the representation of 1 client will be directly adverse to another client; or

○ (2) there is a substantial risk that the representation of 1 or more clients will be materially limited by the lawyer's responsibilities to another client, a former client or a third person or by a personal interest of the lawyer.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST (cont’d)

Rule 4-1.7(b), Conflict of Interest – Informed Consent

If there’s a conflict of interest, an attorney may represent a client ONLY IF:○ (1) the lawyer reasonably believes that the lawyer will be

able to provide competent and diligent representation to each affected client;

○ (2) the representation is not prohibited by law;○ (3) the representation does not involve the assertion of a

position adverse to another client when the lawyer represents both clients in the same proceeding before a tribunal; AND

○ (4) each affected client gives informed consent, confirmed in writing or clearly stated on the record at a hearing.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST (cont’d) Comment to Rule 4-1.7

Loyalty and independent judgment are essential elements in the lawyer's relationship to a client. Conflicts of interest can arise from the lawyer's responsibilities to another client, a former client or a third person, or from the lawyer's own interests.

As a general proposition, loyalty to a client prohibits undertaking representation directly adverse to that client's or another client's interests without the affected client's consent.

Loyalty to a client is also impaired when a lawyer cannot consider, recommend, or carry out an appropriate course of action for the client because of the lawyer's other responsibilities or interests. Subdivision (a)(2) addresses such situations. The conflict in effect forecloses alternatives that would otherwise be available to the client. A possible conflict does not itself preclude the representation. The critical questions are the likelihood that a conflict will eventuate and, if it does, whether it will materially interfere with the lawyer's independent professional judgment in considering alternatives or foreclose courses of action that reasonably should be pursued on behalf of the client. Consideration should be given to whether the client wishes to accommodate the other interest involved.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST (cont’d) Travelers Ins. Co. v. Burger King Corp., 791 So. 2d

1171 (Fla. 3d DCA 2001)

Attorney represented both employer and its workers' compensation claims servicing agent, and thus attorney could not represent employer in its suit against agent alleging that agent improperly handled and adjusted workers' compensation claims to increase its fees, as attorney signed documents representing himself as attorney for agent, and agent essentially acted as an excess carrier and was responsible for any award over $500,000, such that interests of both employer and agent were at risk in claims attorney defended, even though there was no evidence of any case in which $500,000 amount had ever been reached.

CANDOR TOWARD THE TRIBUNAL: FACTUAL ISSUES

Failing to disclose real name of client. Allowing Bond to take the stand at all. Failing to disclose that false testimony

and evidence was presented (includes name, employer, passport).

CANDOR TOWARD THE TRIBUNAL (cont’d) Rule 4-3.3

Rule 4-3.3(a)(4) – False Evidence; Duty to Disclose: – A lawyer shall not knowingly offer evidence that the lawyer knows to be false. A lawyer may not offer testimony that the lawyer knows to be false in the form of a narrative unless so ordered by the tribunal. If a lawyer, the lawyer’s client, or a witness called by the lawyer has offered material evidence and the lawyer comes to know of its falsity, the lawyer shall take reasonable remedial measures including, if necessary, disclosure to the tribunal. A lawyer may refuse to offer evidence that the lawyer reasonably believes is false.

Rule 4-3.3(b) – Criminal or Fraudulent Conduct: A lawyer who represents a client in an adjudicative proceeding and who knows that a person intends to engage, is engaging, or has engaged in criminal or fraudulent conduct related to the proceeding shall take reasonable remedial measures, including, if necessary, disclosure to the tribunal.

CANDOR TOWARD THE TRIBUNAL (cont’d) Comment to Rule 4-3.3

If a lawyer knows that the client intends to testify falsely or wants the lawyer to introduce false evidence, the lawyer should seek to persuade the client that the evidence should not be offered. If the persuasion is ineffective and the lawyer continues to represent the client, the lawyer must refuse to offer the false evidence. If only a portion of a witness’s testimony will be false, the lawyer may call the witness to testify but may not elicit or otherwise permit the witness to present the testimony that the lawyer knows is false.

A lawyer must know that the evidence is false before he/she is precluded from offering the evidence. A lawyer’s reasonable belief that evidence is false does not preclude its presentation to the trier of fact. However, the lawyer is permitted to refuse to offer testimony he/she reasonably believes is false.

CANDOR TOWARD THE TRIBUNAL (cont’d) Comment to Rule 4-3.3 (cont’d)

If a lawyer knows that the client intends to commit perjury, the lawyer's first duty is to attempt to persuade the client to testify truthfully. If the client still insists on committing perjury, the lawyer must threaten to disclose the client's intent to commit perjury to the judge. If the threat of disclosure does not successfully persuade the client to testify truthfully, the lawyer must disclose the fact that the client intends to lie to the tribunal and, per 4‑1.6, information sufficient to prevent the commission of the crime of perjury.

CANDOR TOWARD THE TRIBUNAL (cont’d) Comment to Rule 4-3.3 (cont’d)

The rule generally recognized is that, if necessary to rectify the situation, an advocate must disclose the existence of the client's deception to the court. Such a disclosure can result in grave consequences to the client, including not only a sense of betrayal but also loss of the case and perhaps a prosecution for perjury. But the alternative is that the lawyer cooperate in deceiving the court, thereby subverting the truth‑finding process that the adversary system is designed to implement. See rule 4‑1.2(d). Furthermore, unless it is clearly understood that the lawyer will act upon the duty to disclose the existence of false evidence, the client can simply reject the lawyer's advice to reveal the false evidence and insist that the lawyer keep silent. Thus, the client could in effect coerce the lawyer into being a party to fraud on the court.

CANDOR TOWARD THE TRIBUNAL (cont’d)

Florida Bar Ethics Opinion 04-1 (June 24, 2005)

A lawyer whose client has repeatedly stated that the client will commit perjury must withdraw from the representation and inform the court of the client’s intent to lie under oath. When the withdrawal and disclosure occur depends on the circumstances and may be made ex parte in camera if permitted by the court.

CANDOR TOWARD THE TRIBUNAL (cont’d)

REMEMBER! The duties stated in this rule continue beyond the conclusion of the proceeding and apply even if compliance requires disclosure of information otherwise protected by rule 4‑1.6.

DECLINING OR TERMINATING REPRESENTATION: FACTUAL ISSUES

Failing to provide detailed basis for withdrawal motion.

Walking out of court without permission. Should the judge have granted the

motion to withdraw?

DECLINING OR TERMINATING REPRESENTATION (cont’d) Rule 4-1.16(a) – When Lawyer Must Decline or Terminate

Representation

A lawyer MUST withdraw if:○ the representation will result in violation of the Rules of

Professional Conduct or law;○ the lawyer's physical or mental condition materially impairs the

lawyer's ability to represent the client;○ the lawyer is discharged;○ the client persists in a course of action involving the lawyer's

services that the lawyer reasonably believes is criminal or fraudulent, unless the client agrees to disclose and rectify the crime or fraud; or

○ the client has used the lawyer's services to perpetrate a crime or fraud, unless the client agrees to disclose and rectify the crime or fraud.

DECLINING OR TERMINATING REPRESENTATION (cont’d) Rule 4-1.16(b) – When Withdrawal Is Allowed

A lawyer MAY withdraw if:○ (1) withdrawal can be accomplished without material adverse

effect on the interests of the client;○ (2) the client insists upon taking action that the lawyer considers

repugnant, imprudent, or with which the lawyer has a fundamental disagreement;

○ (3) the client fails substantially to fulfill an obligation to the lawyer regarding the lawyer's services and has been given reasonable warning that the lawyer will withdraw unless the obligation is fulfilled;

○ (4) the representation will result in an unreasonable financial burden on the lawyer or has been rendered unreasonably difficult by the client; or

○ (5) other good cause for withdrawal exists.

DECLINING OR TERMINATING REPRESENTATION (cont’d) Comment to Rule 4-1.16

The lawyer is not obliged to decline or withdraw simply because the client suggests such a course of conduct; a client may make such a suggestion in the hope that a lawyer will not be constrained by a professional obligation.

Difficulty may be encountered if withdrawal is based on the client's demand that the lawyer engage in unprofessional conduct. The court may request an explanation for the withdrawal, while the lawyer may be bound to keep confidential the facts that would constitute such an explanation. The lawyer's statement that professional considerations require termination of the representation ordinarily should be accepted as sufficient. Lawyers should be mindful of their obligations to both clients and the court under rules 4‑1.6 and 4‑3.3.

DECLINING OR TERMINATING REPRESENTATION (cont’d) Benenati v. Chase Home Finance, LLC, 70 So. 3d 744

(Fla. 5th DCA 2011). An attorney’s withdrawal from a case must seek the court’s

permission for withdrawal and state the grounds for withdrawal. A statement in a notice of withdrawal that “irreconcilable differences have arisen” was deemed insufficient by the court.

Bowin v. Molyneaux, 100 So. 3d 1197 (2012). An attorney has the right to terminate the attorney-client relationship

and to withdraw as an attorney of record upon due notice to his client and approval by the court. Approval by the court should be rarely withheld. The approval of the court of such withdrawal does not relieve the attorney of any civil liability for breach of duty or negligence to his client nor from appropriate disciplinary procedures for such act, if it is wrongfully done. Citing Fisher v. State, 248 So. 2d 479 (Fla. 1971).

DECLINING OR TERMINATING REPRESENTATION (cont’d)

However, despite the previous rules… Rule 4-1.16(c)

If the court orders the lawyer to continue representation, the lawyer shall do so notwithstanding good cause for terminating the representation.

Sanborn v. State, 474 So. 2d 309 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 3d Dist. 1985). Regardless of client's wishes, defense counsel must refuse to aid

defendant in giving perjured testimony and also refuse to present testimony of witness that he knows is fabricated, and when serious disagreement arises between defense counsel and accused, and counsel is unable to dissuade his client from insisting that fabricated testimony be presented, counsel should request permission to withdraw from case; if motion to withdraw is denied, however, he must continue to serve as defense counsel.

jane bond in…. applicable rules rule 4-1.6 – confidentiality rule 4-1.2(d) – criminal or...

Documents