Under Rule 6.4, when a lawyer participates in law reform activities, what must the lawyer do?

Under Rule 6.4, when a lawyer participates in law reform activities, what must the lawyer do?

• A. Stop all involvement in reform efforts.
• B. Disclose the involvement.
• C. Disclose the involvement to affected clients.
• D. Disclose the involvement to the bar association.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is transparency when you participate in activities that could influence your professional judgment. Under Rule 6.4, a lawyer may serve in roles with organizations that pursue law reform, but the lawyer must disclose that involvement because it could create or appear to create a conflict or bias in the lawyer’s representation. Disclosure helps the client understand any potential influence on the lawyer’s advice and decisions, allowing informed consent or informed decision-making about continuing representation. You don’t have to stop participating, and you aren’t required to report to the bar association. If a particular client’s interests could be affected by your reform activities, you should disclose that involvement to that client so they know where your perspective might come from.

The key idea is transparency when you participate in activities that could influence your professional judgment. Under Rule 6.4, a lawyer may serve in roles with organizations that pursue law reform, but the lawyer must disclose that involvement because it could create or appear to create a conflict or bias in the lawyer’s representation. Disclosure helps the client understand any potential influence on the lawyer’s advice and decisions, allowing informed consent or informed decision-making about continuing representation. You don’t have to stop participating, and you aren’t required to report to the bar association. If a particular client’s interests could be affected by your reform activities, you should disclose that involvement to that client so they know where your perspective might come from.