Which statement best defines a lawyer serving as a third-party neutral?

Which statement best defines a lawyer serving as a third-party neutral?

• A. A lawyer serves as a third-party neutral when assisting two or more persons who are not clients of the lawyer to reach a resolution of a dispute; third-party neutral includes arbitrator or mediator.
• B. A lawyer who represents one side in a dispute.
• C. A lawyer who provides private counsel to a single client.
• D. A judge who reviews a case.

Answer: (A)

Being a third-party neutral means a lawyer helps two or more people who are not clients of the lawyer resolve a dispute, acting in roles such as mediator or arbitrator. The key is neutrality: the lawyer does not represent any party in the matter and instead assists all sides in reaching a resolution. This contrasts with representing a party in a dispute, providing private counsel to a single client, or serving in a judicial capacity. Because the lawyer isn’t advocating for a client, they must avoid conflicts and maintain impartiality, and they must not use confidential information obtained from any party to favor one side. That combination of non-client status and impartial facilitation is what makes the third-party neutral definition fit.

Being a third-party neutral means a lawyer helps two or more people who are not clients of the lawyer resolve a dispute, acting in roles such as mediator or arbitrator. The key is neutrality: the lawyer does not represent any party in the matter and instead assists all sides in reaching a resolution. This contrasts with representing a party in a dispute, providing private counsel to a single client, or serving in a judicial capacity. Because the lawyer isn’t advocating for a client, they must avoid conflicts and maintain impartiality, and they must not use confidential information obtained from any party to favor one side. That combination of non-client status and impartial facilitation is what makes the third-party neutral definition fit.