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LOCATION: 555 Capitol Mall, Suite 1230, Sacramento, CA 95814
PHONE: (916) 996-0400 | FAX: (916) 668-5760

Following is the eighth in a series of posts from Parker Taylor Law Group reflecting recent changes to the California Bar Association’s Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC), under the category of “Lawyer-Client Relations” – related to “scope of representation and allocation of authority.”

The Rule of Professional Conduct is as follows:

Rule 1.2 Scope of Representation and Allocation
of Authority

(a) Subject to rule 1.2.1, a lawyer shall abide by a client’s decisions concerning the objectives of representation and, as required by rule 1.4, shall reasonably consult with the client as to the means by which they are to be pursued. Subject to Business and Professions Code section 6068, subdivision (e)(1) and rule 1.6, a lawyer may take such action on behalf of the client as is impliedly authorized to carry out the representation. A lawyer shall abide by a client’s decision whether to settle a matter. Except as otherwise provided by law in a criminal case, the lawyer shall abide by the client’s decision, after consultation with the lawyer, as to a plea to be entered, whether to waive jury trial and whether the client will testify.

(b) A lawyer may limit the scope of the representation if the limitation is reasonable under the circumstances, is not otherwise prohibited by law, and the client gives informed consent.

Because Rule 1.2 of the CBA’s new RPC is new, it does not replace any of the previous RPC’s rules, per se, but reflects clarification of duties owed and as previously outlined by ethic experts, published decisions and secondary sources. As confirmed by this rule, as set forth above, a lawyer shall abide by a client’s decisions concerning the objectives of the lawyer’s representation and shall consult reasonably with the client as to how those objectives should be pursued. These decisions may include whether or not to settle the case. In a criminal case, the client can decide which plea to enter, whether to waive a jury trial, and whether he or she will testify. A lawyer may also – according to Bus. & Prof. Code § 6068(e)(1) and Rule 1.6 (Confidential Information of a Client) – act on behalf of the client if authorized to do so. And, with the client’s “informed” consent, the lawyer can choose to limit the scope of representation, unless to do so is prohibited by law.

In the American Bar Association (ABA)’s RPC, Rule 1.2(a)-(c) closely matches the wording found in the CBA’s RPC Rule 1.2(a)-(b), although the references to a criminal case are more clearly spelled out in the ABA’s rule. The information in subd. (d) of ABA’s rule – stating that a lawyer shall not counsel or assist a client in criminal or fraudulent behavior, but shall instead counsel or help the client to properly evaluate the law – does not appear in the CBA’s rule.

Benefit: Generally speaking, this rule helps ensure a client’s objectives are properly addressed and followed.

The information provided herein is informational only and should not be construed as legal advice or as an agreement for representation. This is not an advertisement. If you have an issue or dispute with your attorney, or are seeking advice with respect to your obligations, you should consult with an experienced attorney. Parker Taylor Law Group is a full-service litigation and transactional law firm. Mr. Parker has represented clients in professional malfeasance disputes for over 22 years. If you would like to schedule an initial consultation with Mr. Parker or his team, you can reach them at 916/996-0400 or at contact@parlawgroup.com. (An email to the law firm requesting a consultation does not create an attorney-client relationship or any agreement for representation by the firm.)

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