Selected Topics

After several years of work and waiting, significant amendments to the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct become effective January 1, 2008. In proposing amendments to the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct, the Standing Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct made a conscious decision to conform the Colorado Rules of the Professional Conduct to the ABA’s model rules except where Colorado precedent suggested otherwise. The Committee expressed its belief that this would allow the ABA’s model rules to provide meaningful precedent in interpreting the Colorado rules and would also avoid inconsistent interpretations to ease multi-jurisdictional practices. The committee expressed its presumption as follows:

“Unless existing Colorado law or public policy justified a departure from a new

Model Rule, the Committee would recommend adoption of the Model Rule.”¹

The preamble to the new rules provides that violation of a rule should not itself give rise to a cause of action against a lawyer. The preamble also states that a violation of the rules should not create a presumption that a duty has been breached. The preamble goes on to state:

“Nevertheless, since the Rules do establish standards of conduct by lawyers, in

appropriate cases, a lawyer’s violation of a Rule may be evidence of breach of the

applicable standard of conduct.”²

1

See the Committee’s report on the proposed Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct available at http://www.courts.state.co.us/supct/committees/profconductdocs/changes.htm (Dec. 30, 2005) at page 5.

2

Preamble, ¶[20].

BURNS FIGA & WILL P.C. ATTORNEYS AT LAW 6400 S. Fiddler’s Green Circle, Suite 1000 • Greenwood Village, CO 80111 • P:303 796 2626 • F:303 796 2777 • www.bfw-law.com

Rule 1.0(e)

Informed Consent

Many of the new rules require the client’s “informed consent” before the lawyer can take any action.³ In some cases the rules require the client’s “informed consent confirmed in writing.” The new rule defines “informed consent” as follows:

“‘Informed consent’ denotes the agreement by a person to a proposed course of

conduct after the lawyer has communicated adequate information and explanation

about the material risks of and reasonably available alternatives to the proposed

course of conduct.”

Comment [6] to Rule 1.0 explains “informed consent” further by saying: “[o]rdinarily, this will require communication that includes a disclosure of the facts and circumstances giving rise to the situation, any explanation reasonably necessary to inform the client or other person of the material advantages and disadvantages of the proposed course of conduct and a discussion of the client’s or other person's options and alternatives. In some circumstances it may be appropriate for a lawyer to advise a client or other person to seek the advice of other counsel.” Comment [7] goes on to say that a lawyer may not assume consent by the client’s silence; “[o]btaining informed consent will usually require an affirmative response by the client or other person.”

Where the informed consent must be “confirmed in writing,” Rule 1.0(b) provides that the writing may be signed by the client, or may be a letter from the lawyer to the client confirming an oral informed consent given by the client.

New Rule 1.4 (Communication) requires that the lawyer, as a part of his or her duty to communicate with the client, fully inform the client about matters requiring the client’s “informed consent.”

Rule 1.13 and Rule 1.6

Representation of Organizations and Confidentiality

Colorado substantially revised its rules regarding confidentiality (CRPC Rule 1.6) and representation of entities (CRPC Rule 1.13) effective January 1, 2008. These new rules are similar to the rules proposed by the Kutak Commission in 1982 which were rejected by

3

See, specifically, Rules 1.2(c) (limitation of the scope of representation), 1.6(a) (maintaining the confidentiality of information), 1.7(b) (conflicts of interest), 1.8(a) (business transactions with a client), 1.9 (duties to former clients), 1.18(c) (duties to prospective clients after receiving disqualifying information) and

2.3 (evaluations for the use of third parties).

the ABA’s House of Delegates when considering revisions to the Model Rules of Professional Conduct. Similar proposals were rejected by the House in 1991 and again when proposed by ABA’s Ethics 2000 Commission in August 2001.⁴ Thereafter significant events in the corporate governance landscape occurred. These events were named Enron, Worldcom, HealthSouth, Tyco CEO Dennis Kozlowski, and many others. Senators and the public were shouting “where were the lawyers?”⁵ As a result a committee of the ABA reconsidered the proposals received a year previously from the Ethics 2000 Commission, proposed them again to the ABA’s House of Delegates, which adopted them in August 2002.

Among the more significant changes proposed in the new rules effective January 1, 2008 are the changes to Rules 1.13 and 1.6. Rule 1.13 makes it clear that where the client is an entity, the attorney must always be aware that the entity is a collection of individuals. As stated in Rule 1.13 (both before and after amendment), where the entity is the client, the attorney for an entity “owes allegiance to the organization itself and not [to] its individual stockholders, directors, officers, employees, representatives or other persons connected with the entity.” During the entity’s operations over a period of time, the attorney will unquestionably develop close relationships with the individuals associated with the entity with whom the attorney is working. That relationship, no matter how friendly, cannot affect the attorney’s representation of the entity or further corporate scandals are likely to occur.

One of the new provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act was § 307 which required the SEC to “issue rules, in the public interest and for the protection of investors, setting forth minimum standards of professional conduct for attorneys appearing and practicing before the Commissioin in any way in the representation of issuers.”⁶ The SEC adopted its attorney conduct rules, which became effective in August 2003.⁷ Most financing, merger and acquisition transactions involve the offer, purchase, or sale of securities and, consequently, the SEC’s attorney conduct rules will likely apply. Even where the SEC’s attorney conduct rules do not apply, Rule 1.13 imposes obligations on attorneys representing entities. Rule 1.13 was amended by the Colorado Supreme Court in 2007 (effective January

4

See Stephen Gillers and Roy D. Simon, Regulation of Lawyers: Statutes and Standards 69-71 (2005 ed.) cited in Report of the Task Force on the Lawyer’s Role in Corporate Governance at 77 (November 2006) by the Association of the Bar of the City of New York.

5

See, e.g., Remarks of Senator John Edwards, 148 Cong. Rec. S6552 (daily ed. July 10, 2002) and Remarks of Senator Michael Enzi, 148 Cong. Rec. S6576 (daily ed. July 10, 2002). These remarks were made during the debate surrounding the adoption of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and specifically § 307 thereof.

6

15 U.S.C. § 7245.

7

17 C.F.R. § 205.1. Note that the term “appearing and practicing before the SEC” is interpreted very broadly and includes attorneys representing private issuers in transactions involving the issuance or transfer of securities. See Lidstone, THE SECURITIES LAW DESKBOOK (Bradford Publishing Co. 2007) at § 13.6 and § 13.7; Lidstone, “Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002: Impact on Private Companies and their Attorneys,” 33 The Colorado Lawyer, no. 7 at 73 (July 2004).

1, 2008) and, as a result of such amendments, is similar to Rule 1.13 of the ABA’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct as amended in 2002.

Under Colorado Rule 1.13, where counsel to an entity knows that a person associated with that entity:

is engaged, intends to act or refuses to act in a manner;
related to the representation;
that is a violation of a legal obligation to the entity or a violation of law which might reasonably be imputed to the entity; and

4. is likely to result in substantial injury to the entity, the attorney must proceed as reasonably necessary in the best interests of the entity, giving

consideration to:

a) the seriousness of the violation and its consequences;

b) the scope and nature of the lawyer’s representation;

c) the responsibility and the motivation of the person involved; and

d) other relevant considerations.

Where the attorney has concerns in this regard, there are many actions the attorney

can take to fulfill his or her legal duties. These include:

- Asking for reconsideration of the matter;

- Seeking a separate legal opinion;

- Referring the matter to a higher authority at the entity; or

Where the entity continues to act in the objectionable manner which the lawyer

determines is a violation of law and is likely to result in substantial injury to the entity, the lawyer may resign.⁸ Under 2007 changes, attorney’s duty to report within the organization continues:

8

The duties of attorneys representing entities that file reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or which have filed registration statements under the Securities Act of 1933 have enhanced duties imposed by §307 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules the SEC has adopted thereunder. See Lidstone, Am I My Brother’s Keeper? Redefining the Attorney-Client Relationship, 32 THE COLO. LAW. No. 4, 11 (Apr. 2003).

–: if the lawyer reasonably believes that he was discharged by the client because of his compliance with Rule 1.13, or
–: if the lawyer withdrew under circumstances that required the lawyer to report corporate wrongdoing.

Colorado Rule 1.13(c) (effective January 1, 2008) permits the lawyer to reveal information related to the representation of the entity to third parties irrespective of whether such disclosure would violate Rule 1.6. Disclosure under Rule 1.13(c) is only permitted when, in the lawyer’s judgment, disclosure is necessary to prevent substantial injury to the organization. Note that Rule 1.13 focuses the emphasis of the disclosure on injury to the organization.

Colorado Rule 1.6 was also amended significantly in 2007, effective January 1, 2008. Under current Rule 1.6(b): “a lawyer may reveal the intention of the lawyer’s client to commit a crime and the information necessary to prevent the crime.” This disclosure opportunity applies to any crime, no matter how trivial and regardless whether person or property will be harmed. Once the crime has been completed, the attorney’s right to make disclosure under current Rule 1.6 expired. Also, the attorney’s right to make disclosure under existing Rule 1.6 does not apply to client conduct which, while not criminal, the attorney knows will cause financial loss to third parties.

Amended Rule 1.6(b) permits (but does not require) disclosure by an attorney of the confidences of a client, when the attorney believes it necessary:

To prevent reasonably certain death or substantial bodily harm;
To prevent the client from committing a crime or fraud that is reasonably certain to result in substantial injury to the financial interests or property of another and in furtherance of which the client used or is using the lawyer’s services; or
To prevent, mitigate or rectify substantial injury to the financial interests or property of another” resulting from a crime or fraud “in furtherance of which the client has used the lawyer’s services”

The focus of the new Rule 1.6(b) is not the attorney’s client. The focus of the new Rule 1.6(b) is to protect third parties. Notably the rules (old and new) do not require attorney disclosure in these circumstances; disclosure is instead permissible. Where the attorney becomes aware of one of the matters that may be subject to disclosure under Rule 1.6(b), the attorney’s interests may diverge from the client as the attorney considers how to address the issues to his or her client and whether to make disclosure under Rule 1.6. One of the concerns an attorney in such a position may have is potential aiding and abetting liability if the attorney is publicly silent in the face of such knowledge.⁹ Even though the rules state that violation “should not itself give rise to a cause of action against a lawyer nor should it create any presumption in such a case that a legal duty has been breached,”¹⁰ it is likely that plaintiffs will argue that the rules show standard of care in the community.

The amendments to Rules 1.13 and 1.6 will make representation of organizations more difficult. When the impact of these new rules is fully understood, individuals associated with organizations may be less forthcoming with their legal counsel, concerned about the attorney’s duties to make disclosure, even when voluntary. Furthermore, in 2003 the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) proposed a requirement that attorneys, in circumstances similar to new Rule 1.6(b), make a ‘noisy withdrawal’ when the situation is such that the attorney can no longer represent the client.¹¹ Previously one could have argued that current Rule 1.6 prohibited disclosure and worried about whether the state rule or the SEC rule was predominant. With new Rule 1.6(b), there is no such argument and, if the noisy withdrawal rules are adopted, attorneys will unquestionably have to comply

– possibly further impacting the attorney-client relationship and creating additional disclosure obligations under Colo. RPC 1.4 to the client.

Rule 1.14 – Clients with Diminished Capacity

The 2007 changes also affected Rule 1.14 with respect to confidentiality, but in a rational manner. Rule 1.14(a) provides that when a client’s capacity to make adequately considered decisions in connection with a representation is diminished, whether because of minority, mental impairment or for some other reason, the lawyer shall, as far as reasonably

9

Consider the case where an attorney finds out about events in which a client participated which ultimately prove to have been fraudulent (although the attorney and the client may disagree with that characterization at the time). The attorney considers his or her Rule 1.6 obligations and determines not to make the permissive disclosure but simply resigns. Even though that failure to make permissive disclosure cannot be subject to a disciplinary proceeding, might it be sufficient for the attorney to be held responsible for aiding and abetting the client’s fraud?

10

Colo. RPC Preamble and Scope, Comment [20].

11

The Commission proposed rules under § 307 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 on November 6, 2002. SEC Rel. 33-8150, 34-46868, IC-25829, and adopted final rules on January 29, 2003 (effective August 5, 2003). SEC Rel. 33-8185, 34-47276, IC-25929. Although the rules as proposed included the provision for a “noisy withdrawal,” the Commission deferred consideration of those rules. SEC Rel. 33-8186, 34-47282, IC25920 In that release, the Commission itself acknowledges that the “noisy withdrawal” proposal went beyond the requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley. Both Senators Edwards and Enzi made it clear in their remarks that § 307 “would not require the attorneys to report violations to the [Commission], only to corporate legal counsel or the CEO, and ultimately to the board of directors.” 148 Cong. Rec. S6555 (Daily ed., July 10, 2002). Nevertheless, the proposed rules have not been withdrawn. See Lidstone, “Am I My Brother’s Keeper? Redefining the Attorney-Client Relationship,” 32 The Colorado Lawyer, no. 4 at 11 (April 2003).

possible, maintain a normal client-lawyer relationship with the client. This is similar to the prior mandate.

The 2007 changes to Rule 1.14 added Rules 1.14(b) and (c). These permit a lawyer, when the lawyer reasonably believes that the client has diminished capacity, is at risk of substantial physical, financial or other harm unless action is taken, and the lawyer cannot adequately act in the client’s own interest, the lawyer may take reasonably necessary protective action, including consulting with individuals or entities that have the ability to take action to protect the client. In appropriate cases this may include seeking the appointment of a guardian ad litem, conservator or guardian. In addition, the lawyer, when taking protective action pursuant to paragraph 1.14(b), is impliedly authorized under Rule 1.6(a) to reveal information about the client, but only to the extent reasonably necessary to protect the client’s interests.

This provides greater guidance and flexibility to lawyers representing clients with diminished capacity to act in their client’s best interests, whether the client knows it or not.

Rule 1.16 – Declining or Terminating Representation

Rule 1.16 discusses when and how a lawyer may decline or terminate a representation, and what obligations flow from the termination. Generally the new rule is similar to the former rule. Rule 1.16(b)(1) is a significant, positive, change for lawyers, and is equivalent to a “no fault divorce” between the lawyer and client. Former Rule 1.16 did not permit a lawyer to withdraw solely on the grounds that “withdrawal can be accomplished without material adverse effect on the interests of the client.” Under new Rule 1.16, no other reason is necessary.

Rule 1.16(d) requires that, upon termination of representation, the lawyer must take steps “to the extent reasonably practicable” to protect a client’s interests. These steps may include “allowing time for employment of other counsel, surrendering papers and property to which the client is entitled and refunding any advance payment of fee or expense that has not been earned or incurred.” Recently the Colorado Bar Association Ethics Committee issued letter opinion 2007-2¹² which addressed the obligation of an attorney surrendering paper and property to the client. An estate planning attorney asked whether the obligation included an obligation to surrender digital files “in accessible electronic format, if so maintained,” so that the client could “save . . . money during the revision process” by new counsel. The Ethics Committee concluded that delivering electronic files “is a reasonably practical step that [the attorney] should take to enable the continued protection of your former client’s interests within the meaning of C.R.P.C. 1.16(d).

¹² Abstract available at 36 The Colo. L. (CBA) No. 11 at pg. 17 (Nov. 2007).

The letter opinion leaves a number of questions unaddressed. For example, the letter opinion does not address whether an attorney can claim a lien on the client’s digital files as the attorney can on paper files. To the extent that an attorney has the right to retain paper files pursuant to an attorney’s lien for unpaid fees, the attorney should have the same right to retain digital files.¹³

The letter opinion also does not address whether any portion of the digital files may be considered to be “work product” which, under Formal Opinion 104, attorneys are not obligated to turn over to clients.¹⁴ Formal Opinion 104 does not address whether (for example) special formatting of a document for printing that may have been accomplished by the attorney or his or her staff is “work product” or client’s property.¹⁵ Can an attorney deliver a text-readable version of the document in Adobe Acrobat format to meet the Rule 1.16(d) requirement? While all of the words are generally available in such a format, transforming the document into a word processing accessible document loses all formatting codes and requires a significant amount of “clean up” work by the successor attorney or his or her staff.

Formal Opinion 104 provides that, to the extent the attorney retains drafts in the client file, the client is entitled to receive those drafts. The same should apply to digital drafts of documents.

Another question for which answers are yet to be given are the ability of an attorney, before turning over documents, to scrub metadata from the documents. This would include things like revision schedules, authors working on the document, redline-strikeout codes, and other hidden information. Metadata is a known feature of MS Word, and can only be removed by special metadata scrubbers or by converting the document to a read-only format such as Adobe. In an article addressing metadata, the author concluded that when sending documents to third parties on behalf of the client, metadata scrubbing is consistent with the attorney’s duty of confidentiality under C.R.P.C. Rule 1.6(a).¹⁶ What if the client

¹³ See Formal Opinion 82, CBA Ethics Committee, April 15, 1989, addendum issued 1995, available at http://www.cobar.org/index.cfm/ID/386/CETH/Formal-Ethics-Opinions-Index/.

¹⁴ See Formal Opinion 104, CBA Ethics Committee, April 17, 1999, available at http://www.cobar.org/index.cfm/ID/386/CETH/Formal-Ethics-Opinions-Index/.

¹⁵ Formal Opinion 104 provides the following as an example of attorney work product which may be withheld from a client when turning over records: “Certain documents may be withheld: for example, internal memoranda concerning the client file, conflicts checks, personnel assignments, and lawyer notes reflecting personal impressions and comments relating to the business of representing the client. This information is personal attorney-work product that is not needed to protect the client’s interests, and does not constitute papers and property to which the client is entitled.” The Formal Opinion concludes with the statement that “The lawyer should err on the side of production.”

¹⁶ Luce, “What’s the Matter With Metadata,” 36 The Colo. L. (CBA) No. 11 at pg. 113 (Nov. 2007). Mr. Luce also concluded that metadata mining (adverse counsel retrieving and using metadata from sent documents) is permissible under the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct. The District of Columbia Bar Association

specifically requests the attorney to leave metadata in the document? This question is not addressed by letter opinion 2007-2 or by Formal Opinion 104.

Rule 1.18 – Prospective Clients

Rule 1.18 is a new rule with no counterpart in existing rules. This new rule prohibits an attorney using information gained from dealing with a prospective client against that person’s interests – whether or not the prospective client becomes an actual client. The new rule provides an exception to the prohibition when, during the course of the interview, “the lawyer who received the information took reasonable steps to avoid disclosure to more disqualifying information.” This protects the situation where the lawyer, in a client intake interview, realizes that there may be conflicts with existing clients or other interests of the attorney or the law firm. The rule goes on to require that, for the exception to be applicable, the lawyer receiving the information from the prospective client must be “screened from further participation in the matter and is apportioned no part of the fee therefrom.”¹⁷Additionally, written noticed must be given to the prospective client.

Most requirements of this rule are achievable. However, given the compensation structure of most law firms, it is likely not possible to avoid apportioning a portion of the fee from any specific representation to any specific attorney.¹⁸ Thus the effect of this new rule

Legal Ethics Committee addressed this issue in its Ethics Opinion 341. The Committee noted that lawyers who send electronic documents outside of discovery or subpoena have a duty under Rule 1.6 to take reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of the documents, including removing potentially harmful metadata before sending the documents. This requires that the lawyers understand the software they use or they have employees who can safeguard against unintended disclosures. However, there is also a duty upon receiving lawyers who actually know that a sender has inadvertently included metadata along with a document. The opinion held that lawyer should not review the metadata without contacting the sending lawyer and abiding by the sender’s instruction. This gives the sender the opportunity to determine if the metadata includes work product or confidential information of the sender’s client. In all other circumstances, however, the receiving lawyer is free to review the metadata contained in electronic files provided by an adversary.

17

Similarly, under Rule 1.10(e), when an attorney moves laterally to a new firm, circumstances exist where the firm can represent a client adverse to a client of the former firm even where the new lawyer had minimal involvement in the representation. This requires that the new firm take appropriate screening measures and again ensures that the new lawyer “is apportioned no part of the fee therefrom.”

18

One ethics opinion has been found under Rule 1.10 that discusses this “no apportionment requirement. State of Washington Informal Opinion 1498 (1992) distinguishes between a partner and an associate moving laterally and dealing with the 1.10 consequences:

“The Committee was of the opinion that a personally disqualified associate may be paid a regular salary, but may not share in any bonus or any other additional payment based upon the fee received in the case from which he or she is screened.”

“The Committee was of the opinion that in the case of a personally disqualified partner, the law firm must put into place an accounting practice to ensure that the gross income received from the case is

is that a prospective client can effectively disqualify an unsuspecting law firm should the prospective client desire to do so. Attorneys must be alert to potential conflicts of interest very early in the intake process. Otherwise, this may give less reputable plaintiffs or defendants the opportunity to go “attorney shopping,” provide disqualifying information during the initial interview, and thereby prevent an attorney or firm from representing even a long-term client in adverse litigation.

Rule 2.3 – Evaluation for Use by Third Parties (e.g., Legal Opinions)

Colorado Rule 2.3 has generally been interpreted to allow attorneys for clients to issue legal opinions to third parties in connection with the closing of a transaction or in other circumstances. A legal opinion places the lawyer in the odd position of issuing legal advice to a person not his or her client and generally disclosing confidences about the client. The principal change between the current Colorado rule and the new Rule is that, under new Rule 2.3(b), the client’s “informed consent” is required only when the lawyer knows or reasonably should know that the evaluation is likely to affect the client’s interests materially and adversely. As described in Paragraph [5] of the Comment to this Rule:

When a client requests a lawyer to provide an opinion for the benefit of third parties

and the opinion is consistent with the client’s interests, there is no good reason to

require the client’s consent.

Rendering a legal opinion to third parties also invokes other Rules of Professional Conduct:

The lawyer must be competent to render the opinion (Rule 1.1);
The lawyer must preserve the confidentiality of client information (Rule 1.6); and
The lawyer’s conduct must conform to the requirements of the law and must be characterized by independent judgment and truthfulness (Rules 1.2, 2.1 and 4.1).
The lawyer must avoid conflicts of interest (Rules 1.7 and 1.9)

handled in such a way that the personally disqualified partner does not share in it in any way. The Committee was further of the opinion that the law firm must document that accounting because the rule places the burden of proof of compliance upon the law firm.”

Surprisingly, this point, and the mechanics of accomplishing this “non-apportionment” requirement is not discussed in the comments to Rule 1.10 or Rule 1.18.

Rule 4.3 – Dealing with Unrepresented Persons

Current Colorado Rule 4.3 is different from Prior Model Rule 4.3 in two respects. The Current Colorado Rule requires the lawyer to state to the unrepresented person that the lawyer is representing a client, and the current rule explicitly states that the lawyer shall not give legal advice to the unrepresented person except advice to secure counsel.

New Model Rule 4.3 introduces a new concept by permitting a lawyer to give legal advice to an unrepresented person so long as the lawyer does not know (and has no reason to know) of a conflict between the interests of the lawyer’s client and the unrepresented person. New Paragraph [2] of the Comment explains the reasons for this expansion of the lawyer’s permissible communications with unrepresented persons:

[2] The Rule distinguishes between situations involving unrepresented persons whose interests may be adverse to those of the lawyer’s client and those in which the person’s interests are not in conflict with the client’s. In the former situation, the possibility that the lawyer will compromise the unrepresented person’s interests is so great that the Rule prohibits the giving of any advice, apart from the advice to obtain counsel.

This protects a lawyer when, for example, the lawyer is meeting with several individuals about the formation of a new business. Depending on the identification of the lawyer’s client in such a circumstance, all of the other parties at the meeting are technically unrepresented. However, where the parties are all pursuing the same goal on an amicable basis, little purpose can be served by advising everyone else at the table to “obtain your own counsel.” This is a benefit obtained under the new rule.

Rule 4.4 - Respect for Rights of Third Persons

New Colorado Rule 4.4(b) and associated new Paragraphs [2] and [3] of its Comment wade into one of the more vexing problems facing lawyers and the courts. Modern technologies, such as email, facilitate both the communication of information and the erroneous transmission of confidential information to those who should not have access to that information. Inevitably, the question arises as to the lawyer’s ethical and legal duties upon receipt of information that was transmitted by mistake to the lawyer.

New Colorado Rule 4.4(b) addresses this issue by requiring prompt notice to the sender if a lawyer receives a document, which the lawyer knows or reasonably should know was inadvertently sent, relating to the representation of the lawyer’s client. New Model Rule 4.4 imposes no further ethical duties. However, a majority of the Standing Committee believes that the ABA has not addressed this problem satisfactorily.

The new Colorado rule incorporates the requirements of Formal Opinion 108 that when a lawyer actually knows of the inadvertence of the disclosure before examining the privileged or confidential documents, including when the sender notifies the recipient of the erroneous transmission, the lawyer should not examine the documents and to abide by the sending lawyer’s instructions as to their disposition. The new Colorado Rule added section (c) to the Model Rules which reads as follows:

(c) Unless otherwise permitted by court order, a lawyer who receives a document relating to the representation of the lawyer’s client and who, before reviewing the document, receives notice from the sender that the document was inadvertently sent, shall not examine the document and shall abide by the sender’s instructions as to its disposition.

Participating in Charity Auctions Rule 7.2 - Advertising Rule 7.3 – Direct Contact with Prospective Clients

Colorado Rule 7.2(b) prohibits a lawyer from giving anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer’s services except in very limited circumstances.¹⁹

Colorado Rule 7.3 prohibits direct solicitation from potential clients with whom the lawyer has no family or prior professional relationship, prohibits direct solicitation even where such a family or professional relationship exists, if the prospective client has made known to the lawyer a desire not to be solicited or if the solicitation involves coercion, duress or harassment, and requires identification of covered communications as advertising materials.

These rules directly impact the question whether a lawyer can offer legal services as a prize in a charity’s auction. Can a lawyer offer to prepare a simple will or accomplish a simple incorporation for the highest bidder? This precise question has not been addressed in Colorado, but it has in other states with two conclusions: “yes, with conditions” and “no.”

The opinions that have addressed this issue have typically analyzed it under their state’s version of Rules 1.1 (competence), 1.7 (conflicts of interest: current clients), 5.4 (professional independence of a lawyer), Rule 7.2 (advertising) and Rule 7.3 (direct contact with prospective clients). Alabama,²⁰ California,²¹ Nebraska,²² Hawaii,²³ Pennsylvania,²⁴and South Carolina²⁵ have each provided a qualified “yes. The Nebraska opinion states: …[A]n attorney may donate legal services to a charitable organization if all of the following requirements are met:

19	Similarly, Rule 1.5(e) prohibits lawyers paying referral fees.
20	Alabama Opinion 90-51 (1990).
21	California State Bar Opinion 1982-65 (1982).

Services only in the lawyer's area of competence are donated;
The specific service and identity of the lawyer are disclosed;
The lawyer retains the right to decline for conflicts of interest or other ethical reasons the representation in which case the lawyer will refund in full the auction price paid by the client; and
All communications regarding the auction comply with the above requirements and are not false or misleading.

Some of the State Bar opinions that do not approve of lawyers making services available as an auction item (see below) argue that it is violative of prohibition found in Rule 7.2(b) against giving something of value to a person for recommending a lawyer’s services and that purchasers of the auction item may be misled about the qualifications of the lawyer providing the services. The Nebraska opinion refutes these concerns stating:

[A prior opinion] determined that the issue of a referral fee seemed to apply more appropriately to a lawyer paying a fee to a third party to recommend that lawyer to a paying client. Here, the client pays something of value to the charity and the lawyer receives nothing other than the satisfaction of doing a good deed. It further determined that the possibility of misleading information being communicated to the bidders could be adequately protected against by the attorney in the wording of the auction item that the services would only be in the lawyer's area of competence, that the attorney retains the right to decline the service for conflicts or other ethical problems in which case the price would be refunded by the attorney, and that communications regarding the auction not be false and misleading.

Although permitting legal services in a charity auction, the Alabama opinion concludes that “It would be inappropriate, and ethically impermissible for [the lawyer] to limit the gift to a "simple will" when the purchaser might need something altogether

22

Nebraska State Bar Opinion 06-11 (2007) that withdrew an earlier Nebraska Formal Opinion 92-4

(1992).

23

Hawaii Opinion 31 (1992).

24

Philadelphia Opinion 80-35 (undated).

25

South Carolina Opinion 91-35 (1991).

different. Accordingly, such a gift is fraught with danger for the attorney and we would suggest, as an alternative, that a cash donation of comparable value be made.”

Kentucky,²⁶ Maryland,²⁷ New Hampshire,²⁸ New York²⁹ and Ohio,³⁰ have opined that charitable gifts of legal services are inconsistent with the ethical rules governing attorneys in those jurisdictions. The Ohio opinion stated:

A lawyer should not donate legal services to be auctioned or used as a prize drawing at a fund raiser for a charitable organization. Under DR 2-103(B), a lawyer's donation of legal services to be auctioned or used as a prize drawing at a fund raiser for a charitable organization is a giving of a thing of value which secures employment of the lawyer. Under DR 5-107(B), a lawyer’s agreement with a charitable organization to provide legal services to an unknown silent auction bidder or an unknown winning ticket holder may improperly limit the exercise of the attorney’s independent professional judgment as to whom to accept as clients and what services to provide. Further, under DR 2-101(A)(1), it is misleading for a lawyer to donate legal services that he or she may not be able to provide because of other disciplinary rules, such as 6-101(A)(1), DR 5-101(A)(1), DR 5-105, and DR 2101(F)(1), governing competence, conflicts of interest, and solicitation.

These are consistent with a 1972 ABA informal opinion³¹ which stated that a lawyer may not participate in an auction because to do so would violate the applicable advertising and solicitation provisions (DR 2-101 Publicity in General and DR 2-103 Recommendations of Professional Employment) of the ABA Model Code of Professional Responsibility.

Colorado has not ruled on the issue, but the concerns expressed in all of the states (even the states finding that such a practice is permissible) are applicable under the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct.

26

Kentucky Opinion E-239 (1981).

27

Maryland Opinion 80-43 (undated).

28

New Hampshire Opinion 1990-91/2 (1991).

29

New York State Bar Opinion 524 (1980), Bar of the City of New York Opinion 81-22 (undated), Monroe County, NY Opinion 1 (undated), and Nassau County Opinion 97-11 (12/17/98).

30

Ohio Supreme Court Opinion 2002-5 (6/14/02).

31

ABA Informal Opinion 1250 (1972).

CERTAIN OF THE COLORADO RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2008

RULE 1.0. TERMINOLOGY

(b): “Confirmed in writing,” when used in reference to the informed consent of a person, denotes informed consent that is given in writing by the person or a writing that a lawyer promptly transmits to the person confirming an oral informed consent. See paragraph (e) for the definition of “informed consent.” If it is not feasible to obtain or transmit the writing at the time the person gives informed consent, then the lawyer must obtain or transmit it within a reasonable time thereafter.
(e): “Informed consent” denotes the agreement by a person to a proposed course of conduct after the lawyer has communicated adequate information and explanation about the material risks of and reasonably available alternatives to the proposed course of conduct.

RULE 1.6. CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION

(a): A lawyer shall not reveal information relating to the representation of a client unless the client gives informed consent, the disclosure is impliedly authorized in order to carry out the representation, or the disclosure is permitted by paragraph (b).
(2): To reveal the client’s intention to commit a crime and the information necessary to prevent the crime;
(3): To prevent the client from committing a fraud that is reasonably certain to result in substantial injury to the financial interests or property of another and in furtherance of which the client has used or is using the lawyer’s services;
(4): To prevent, mitigate or rectify substantial injury to the financial interests or property of another that is reasonably certain to result or has resulted from the client's commission of a crime or fraud in furtherance of which the client has used the lawyer’s services;
(5): To secure legal advice about the lawyer’s compliance with these Rules, other law or a court order;
(6): To establish a claim or defense on behalf of the lawyer in a controversy between the lawyer and the client, to establish a defense to a criminal charge or civil claim against the lawyer based upon conduct in which the client was involved, or to respond to allegations in any proceeding concerning the lawyer’s representation of the client; or

(7) To comply with other law or a court order.

RULE 1.13. ORGANIZATION AS CLIENT

(a): A lawyer employed or retained by an organization represents the organization acting through its duly authorized constituents.
(b): If a lawyer for an organization knows that an officer, employee or other person associated with the organization is engaged in action, intends to act or refuses to act in a matter related to the representation that is a violation of a legal obligation to the organization, or a violation of law that reasonably might be imputed to the organization, and is likely to result in substantial injury to the organization, the lawyer shall proceed as is reasonably necessary in the best interest of the organization. Unless the lawyer reasonably believes that it is not necessary in the best interest of the organization to do so, the lawyer shall refer the matter to higher authority in the organization, including, if warranted by the circumstances, to the highest authority that can act on behalf of the organization as determined by applicable law.
(c): Except as provided in paragraph (d), if
(1): Despite the lawyer’s efforts in accordance with paragraph (b) the highest authority that can act on behalf of the organization insists upon or fails to address in a timely and appropriate manner an action, or a refusal to act, that is clearly a violation of law, and
(2): The lawyer reasonably believes that the violation is reasonably certain to result in substantial injury to the organization, then the lawyer may reveal information relating to the representation whether or not Rule 1.6 permits such disclosure, but only if and to the extent the lawyer reasonably believes necessary to prevent substantial injury to the organization.
(d): Paragraph (c) shall not apply with respect to the information relating to a lawyer’s representation of an organization to investigate an alleged violation of law, or to defend the organization or an officer, employee or other constituent associated with the organization against a claim arising out of an alleged violation of law.
(e): A lawyer who reasonably believes that he or she has been discharged because of the lawyer’s actions taken pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c), or who withdraws under circumstances that require or permit the lawyer to take action under either of those paragraphs, shall proceed as the lawyer reasonably believes necessary to assure that the organization’s highest authority is informed of the lawyer’s discharge or withdrawal.
(f): In dealing with an organization’s directors, officers, employees, members, shareholders or other constituents, a lawyer shall explain the identity of the client when the lawyer knows or reasonably should know that the organization’s interests are adverse to those of the constituents with whom the lawyer is dealing.
(g): A lawyer representing an organization may also represent any of its directors, officers, employees, members, shareholders or other constituents, subject to the provisions of Rule 1.7. If the organization’s consent to the dual representation is required by Rule 1.7, the consent shall be given by an appropriate official of the organization other than the individual who is to be represented, or by the shareholders.

RULE 1.14. CLIENT WITH DIMINISHED CAPACITY

(a): When a client’s capacity to make adequately considered decisions in connection with a representation is diminished, whether because of minority, mental impairment or for some other reason, the lawyer shall, as far as reasonably possible, maintain a normal client-lawyer relationship with the client.
(b): When the lawyer reasonably believes that the client has diminished capacity, is at risk of substantial physical, financial or other harm unless action is taken and cannot adequately act in the client’s own interest, the lawyer may take reasonably necessary protective action, including consulting with individuals or entities that have the ability to take action to protect the client and, in appropriate cases, seeking the appointment of a guardian ad litem, conservator or guardian.
(c): Information relating to the representation of a client with diminished capacity is protected by Rule 1.6. When taking protective action pursuant to paragraph (b), the lawyer is impliedly authorized under Rule 1.6(a) to reveal information about the client, but only to the extent reasonably necessary to protect the client’s interests.

RULE 1.16. DECLINING OR TERMINATING REPRESENTATION

(a): Except as stated in paragraph (c), a lawyer shall not represent a client or, where representation has commenced, shall withdraw from the representation of a client if:
(1): The representation will result in violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct or other law;
(b): Except as stated in paragraph (c), a lawyer may withdraw from representing a client if:
(1): Withdrawal can be accomplished without material adverse effect on the interests of the client;
(4): The client insists upon taking action that the lawyer considers repugnant or with which the lawyer has a fundamental disagreement;
(5): 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;
(c): A lawyer must comply with applicable law requiring notice to or permission of a tribunal when terminating a representation. When ordered to do so by a tribunal, a lawyer shall continue representation notwithstanding good cause for terminating the representation.
(d): Upon termination of representation, a lawyer shall take steps to the extent reasonably practicable to protect a client's interests, such as giving reasonable notice to the client, allowing time for employment of other counsel, surrendering papers and property to which the client is entitled and refunding any advance payment of fee or expense that has not been earned or incurred. The lawyer may retain papers relating to the client to the extent permitted by other law.

RULE 1.18. DUTIES TO PROSPECTIVE CLIENT

(a): A person who discusses with a lawyer the possibility of forming a client-lawyer relationship with respect to a matter is a prospective client.
(b): Even when no client-lawyer relationship ensues, a lawyer who has had discussions with a prospective client shall not use or reveal information learned in the consultation, except as Rule 1.9 would permit with respect to information of a former client.
(c): A lawyer subject to paragraph (b) shall not represent a client with interests materially adverse to those of a prospective client in the same or a substantially related matter if the lawyer received information from the prospective client that could be significantly harmful to the prospective client, except as provided in paragraph (d). If a lawyer is disqualified from representation under this paragraph, no lawyer in a firm with which that lawyer is associated may knowingly undertake or continue representation in such a matter, except as provided in paragraph (d).
(d): When the lawyer has received disqualifying information as defined in paragraph (c), representation is permissible if:
(1): Both the affected client and the prospective client have given informed consent, confirmed in writing; or
(2): The lawyer who received the information took reasonable measures to avoid exposure to more disqualifying information than was reasonably necessary to determine whether to represent the prospective client; and

(i) The disqualified lawyer is timely screened from any participation in the matter and is apportioned no part of the fee therefrom; and

(ii) Written notice is promptly given to the prospective client.

RULE 2.3. EVALUATION FOR USE BY THIRD PERSONS

(a): A lawyer may provide an evaluation of a matter affecting a client for the use of someone other than the client if the lawyer reasonably believes that making the evaluation is compatible with other aspects of the lawyer’s relationship with the client.
(b): When the lawyer knows or reasonably should know that the evaluation is likely to affect the client’s interests materially and adversely, the lawyer shall not provide the evaluation unless the client gives informed consent.
(c): Except as disclosure is authorized in connection with a report of an evaluation, information relating to the evaluation is otherwise protected by Rule 1.6.

RULE 4.3. DEALING WITH UNREPRESENTED PERSON

In dealing on behalf of a client with a person who is not represented by counsel, a lawyer shall not state or imply that the lawyer is disinterested. When the lawyer knows or reasonably should know that the unrepresented person misunderstands the lawyer’s role in the matter, the lawyer shall make reasonable efforts to correct the misunderstanding. The lawyer shall not give legal advice to an unrepresented person, other than the advice to secure counsel, if the lawyer knows or reasonably should know that the interests of such a person are or have a reasonable possibility of being in conflict with the interests of the client.

RULE 7.2. ADVERTISING

(a): Subject to the requirements of Rules 7.1 and 7.3, a lawyer may advertise services through written, recorded or electronic communication, including public media.
(c): Any communication made pursuant to this Rule shall include the name and office address of at least one lawyer or law firm responsible for its content.

RULE 7.3. DIRECT CONTACT WITH PROSPECTIVE CLIENTS

(b): A lawyer shall not solicit professional employment from a prospective client by written, recorded or electronic communication or by in-person, telephone or realtime electronic contact even when not otherwise prohibited by paragraph (a), if:
(c): A lawyer shall not solicit professional employment from a prospective client believed to be in need of legal services which arise out of the personal injury or death of any person by written, recorded, or electronic communication. This Rule 7.3(c) shall not apply if the lawyer has a family or prior professional relationship with the prospective client or if the communication is issued more than 30 days after the occurrence of the event for which the legal representation is being solicited. Any such communication must comply with the following:
(1): No such communication may be made if the lawyer knows or reasonably should know that the person to whom the communication is directed is represented resented by a lawyer in the matter; and
(2): If a lawyer other than the lawyer whose name or signature is contained in the communication will actually handle the case or matter, or if the case or matter will be referred to another lawyer or law firm, any such communication shall include a statement so advising the prospective client.
(d): Every written, recorded or electronic communication from a lawyer soliciting professional employment from a prospective client known to be in need of legal services in a particular matter shall:
(1): Include the words “Advertising Material” on the outside envelope, if any, and at the beginning and ending of any recorded or electronic communication, unless the recipient of the communication is a person specified in paragraphs (a)(1) or (a)(2);
(e): Notwithstanding the prohibitions in paragraph (a), a lawyer may participate with a prepaid or group legal service plan operated by an organization not owned or directed by the lawyer that uses in-person or telephone contact to solicit memberships or subscriptions for the plan from persons who are not known to need legal services in a particular matter covered by the plan.