Conflict of Interest

Impropriety

An act of misconduct. That which is socially unacceptable.

Firm

Includes lawyers in a private firm, and lawyers in the legal dept. of a corporation or other legal services organization.

Rule 1.9

Model Rule that prevents an attorney from successively representing a client with adverse interests to a former client in the same related matter.

NFPA Canon 1.6

NFPA rule that provides that paralegals shall avoid conflicts of interest and disclose any possible conflicts to their employers, clients, or prospective lawyers or clients.

Conflict Check

Reasonable procedures to determine the matters and individuals involved in the issue and whether or not there are actual or potential conflicts of interest.

Imputed Disqualification

Rule that disqualifies all of the members of a firm when one attorney is disqualified.

Ethical Wall

To screen or shut out a disqualified attorney (or paralegal) within the firm from representation of the client presenting the conflict.

Conflict of Interest

When the interests of the client conflict with the interest of the attorney or other clients represented by the attorney.

Conflict Waiver

Written permission from clients that create or may create a conflict of interest for the firm to continue continue representation despite the conflict.