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ł-Ż ƒ#(%!ŻŅܰŅŅܰŅŌ..ŌŌ  ŌŌ  ŌÓ  ÓŌ€%X–XX%XŌŌ€X–XX%X–ŌŻ  ŻŌ_ŌŃX°ŃҰÜŅҰÜŅŌ€/X“gXXX–ŌŃ€0ŃŃ8€%–%XXdędČ8Ńą@ø ø ģąņņIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€MARYLANDóóˆŠ ° ŠĢĢĢĢĢą@ ģąņņR€U€L€E€S€€€O€R€D€E€RóóˆŠ  R ŠĢĢĢÓÓą  ąThis€Court€having€appointed€a€Select€Committee€to€Study€theŠ Ž Ž  ŠEthics€2000€Amendments€to€the€ABA€Model€Rules€of€ProfessionalŠ T¤  ŠConduct€and,€thereafter,€the€Select€Committee€having€submitted€toŠ j  Šthe€Court€a€report€recommending€adoption€of€the€Ethics€2000Š ą0 ŠAmendments€to€the€ABA€Model€Rules€of€Professional€Conduct€andŠ ¦ö ŠComments€thereto€with€various€amendments€to€these€Rules€andŠ l¼ ŠComments€as€proposed€by€the€Select€Committee;€andŠ 2‚ ŠĢĢą  ąThe€Report€of€the€Select€Committee,€including€the€proposedŠ „Ō ŠMaryland€Lawyersšš€Rules€of€Professional€Conduct€and€CommentsŠ Jš Šthereto,€having€been€posted€for€public€comment€on€the€MarylandŠ !`  ŠJudiciaryššs€website;€andŠ Ö"&" ŠĢĢą  ąThis€Court€having€considered€at€a€public€hearing,€notice€ofŠ ((x#( Šwhich€was€posted€as€prescribed€by€law,€all€proposed€Rules€andŠ ī)>%* ŠComments,€together€with€comments€received€from€interested€partiesŠ “+', Šand€certain€amendments€subsequently€submitted€by€the€SelectŠ z-Ź(. ŠŌ_ŌCommittee,€and€the€Court€having€on€its€own€motion€amended€certainŠ ° Šof€the€proposed€rules€and€certain€other€Maryland€Rules€and€RulesŠ vĘ ŠGoverning€Admission€to€the€Bar€of€Maryland,€it€is€this€8ņņthóó€ofŠ <Œ ŠFebruary,€2005Š  R ŠĢĢą  ąORDERED,€by€the€Court€of€Appeals€of€Maryland,€that€theŠ T¤  Šproposed€Maryland€Lawyersšš€Rules€of€Professional€Conduct,Š j  Šincluding€the€Comment€to€each€Rule,€be,€and€they€are€hereby,Š ą0 Šadopted€in€the€form€attached€hereto,€and€these€Rules€shall€governŠ ¦ö Šattorneys€in€accordance€with€Rule€8.5€of€the€Maryland€LawyersššŠ l¼ ŠRules€of€Professional€Conduct;€and€it€is€furtherŠ 2‚ ŠĢĢą  ąORDERED€that€amendments€to€Maryland€Rules€1„351,€2„652,€9„Š „Ō Š205,€11„106,€16„601,€16„701,€16„777,€16„812,€16„813,€and€16„814Š Jš Šand€Rules€14€and€16€of€the€Rules€Governing€Admission€to€the€BarŠ !`  Šof€Maryland€be,€and€they€are€hereby,€adopted€in€the€form€attachedŠ Ö"&" Šhereto;€and€it€is€furtherŠ œ$ģ$ ŠĢĢą  ąORDERED€that€the€rules€changes€hereby€adopted€by€this€CourtŠ ī)>%* Šshall€take€effect€on€July€1,€2005,€and€that€the€Maryland€LawyersššŠ “+', ŠRules€of€Professional€Conduct€shall€govern€the€conduct€ofŠ z-Ź(. Šattorneys€from€and€after€said€date;€provided,€however,€that€theŠ ° Šcurrent€Maryland€Rules€of€Professional€Conduct€as€set€forth€inŠ vĘ ŠAppendix:€€Rules€of€Professional€Conduct€of€the€Maryland€RulesŠ <Œ Šshall€continue€in€full€force€and€effect€and€shall€govern€theŠ  R Šconduct€of€attorneys€until€July€1,€2005;€and€attorneys€shallŠ Č  Šcontinue€on€and€after€July€1,€2005€to€be€subject€to€disciplineŠ Ž Ž  Šfor€violations€of€the€current€Maryland€Rules€of€ProfessionalŠ T¤  ŠConduct€occurring€prior€to€July€1,€2005;€and€it€is€furtherŠ j  ŠĢŃ£XŃŠ  ¦ö Šą  ąORDERED€that€a€copy€of€this€Order€be€published€in€the€nextŠ ° Šissue€of€the€ņņMaryland€Registeróó.ÓÓŠ vĘ Šą  ąą0 ` ąą0ø ` (#` (#ąą0ø (#ø (#ąą0h(#(#ąą0Ąh(#h(#ą/s/€Robert€M.€BellŠY©Ą(#Ą(# Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ą___________________________________Š <Œ Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąRobert€M.€BellŠ  o ŠĢĢą  ąą0 ` ąą0ø ` (#` (#ąą0ø (#ø (#ąą0h(#(#ąą0Ąh(#h(#ą/s/€Irma€S.€RakerŠČ Ą(#Ą(# Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ą___________________________________Š « ū  Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąIrma€S.€RakerŠ Ž Ž  ŠĢĢą  ąą0 ` ąą0ø ` (#` (#ąą0ø (#ø (#ąą0h(#(#ąą0Ąh(#h(#ą/s/€Alan€M.€WilnerŠ7‡ Ą(#Ą(# Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ą___________________________________Š j  Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąAlan€M.€WilnerŠ żM  ŠĢĢą  ąą0 ` ąą0ø ` (#` (#ąą0ø (#ø (#ąą0h(#(#ąą0Ąh(#h(#ą/s/€Dale€R.€CathellЦöĄ(#Ą(# Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ą___________________________________Š ‰Ł Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąDale€R.€CathellŠ l¼ ŠĢĢą  ąą0 ` ąą0ø ` (#` (#ąą0ø (#ø (#ąą0h(#(#ąą0Ąh(#h(#ąņ ņ*ó ó€/s/€Glenn€T.€Harrell,€Jr.ŠeĄ(#Ą(# Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ą___________________________________Š ųH Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąGlenn€T.€Harrell,€Jr.Š Ū+ ŠĢĢą  ąą0 ` ąą0ø ` (#` (#ąą0ø (#ø (#ąą0h(#(#ąą0Ąh(#h(#ą/s/€Lynne€A.€BattagliaŠ„ŌĄ(#Ą(# Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ą___________________________________Š g· Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąLynne€A.€BattagliaŠ Jš ŠĢĢą  ąą0 ` ąą0ø ` (#` (#ąą0ø (#ø (#ąą0h(#(#ąą0Ąh(#h(#ą/s/€Clayton€Greene,€Jr.Šó!C!Ą(#Ą(# Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ą___________________________________Š Ö"&" Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąClayton€Greene,€Jr.Š ¹# # Šņ ņĢĢ*ó ó€Judge€Harrell€concurs€and€dissents€to€the€adoption€of€the€newŠ b&²!& ŠMaryland€Lawyersšš€Rules€of€Professional€Conduct.€€See€attachedŠ E'•"' Šconcurring€and€dissenting€opinion.Š ((x#( ŠĢFiled:€February€8,€2005Š ī)>%* Š/s/€Alexander€L.€CummingsŠ Ń*!&+ Š______________________________Š “+', Š€€€€€€€€€€€€ClerkŠ —,ē'- Š€Court€of€Appeals€of€MarylandŠ  z-Ź(. ŠHarrell,€J.,€concurring€and€dissenting:Š ° ŠĢÓÓą  ąAlthough€I€endorse€virtually€all€of€the€rule€changesŠ vĘ Šencompassed€by€this€Order,€as€recommended€by€the€Select€CommitteeŠ <Œ Šin€its€16€December€2003€Report€(Supplemented€10€January€2005)€orŠ  R Šas€amended€by€the€Court€at€its€public€hearing€on€10€January€2005,Š Č  ŠI€am€not€persuaded€that€the€new€language€added€at€Rule€8.4€(e)€isŠ Ž Ž  Šappropriate€to€be€included€in€the€š šblack€letter€textšš€of€theŠ T¤  ŠRule.€€Rather,€as€recommended€by€M.€Peter€Moser,€Esquire,€in€hisŠ j  ŠConcurring€Minority€Reportņņ1óó€appended€to€the€Select€CommitteeššsŠ ą0 ŠReport€[at€Pp.€154„56],€I€think€it€wiser€that€the€admonitionŠ ¦ö Šencompassed€in€Rule€8.4€(e)€be€included€rather€only€in€theŠ l¼ ŠComment€to€Rule€8.4.€€Such€Comment€should€be€directed€to€the€pre„Š 2‚ Šexisting€and€retained€prohibition€in€Rule€8.4€(d)€(š šIt€isŠ ųH Šprofessional€misconduct€for€a€lawyer€to€.€.€.€engage€in€conductŠ ¾ Šthat€is€prejudicial€to€the€administration€of€justicešš)€as€anŠ „Ō Šillustration€of€conduct€that€may€violate€8.4€(d).€€Thus,€theŠ Jš ŠCourt€could€shape€the€contours€of€the€proper€interpretation€ofŠ !`  Šthe€Rule€and€the€Comment€on€a€case„by„case€basis,€as€they€mayŠ Ö"&" Šarise,€and€possibly€avoid€the€constitutional€quicksand€upon€whichŠ œ$ģ$ Šnew€Rule€8.4€(e)€is€constructed.€€ņņSeeóó€letter€of€15€July€2003€fromŠ b&²!& ŠScott€R.€Haiber,€Esquire,€at€Pp.€390„401€of€the€SelectŠ ((x#( ŠCommitteeššs€Report.€€At€our€public€hearing,€Mr.€Haiber€reiteratedŠ ī)>%* Šthe€serious€free€speech,€vagueness,€and€overbreadth€questionsŠ “+', Šraised€by€Rule€8.4€(e)€that€were€elaborated€in€his€letter.Š z-Ź(. Їą  ąMr.€Moser,€in€his€Concurring€Minority€Report,€articulatedŠ ° Šwell€some€of€the€sound€policy€reasons€for€the€language€of€8.4€(e)Š vĘ Što€be€in€the€Comment,€rather€than€in€the€Rule€itself:Š <Œ ŠŅ` °ŅŅ` °ŅÓÓ(i)€Only€when€the€manifestation€of€bias€orŠ  R Šprejudice€is€š šprejudicial€to€theŠ å 5 Šadministration€of€justicešš€is€it€professionalŠ Č  Šmisconduct€under€Rule€8.4.€€Because€paragraphŠ « ū  Š(d)€already€says€that€it€is€professionalŠ Ž Ž  Šmisconduct€for€a€lawyer€to€š šengage€in€conductŠ qĮ  Šthat€is€prejudicial€to€the€administration€ofŠ T¤  Šjustice,šš€a€separate€prohibition€under€thatŠ 7‡  Šstandard€ņņin€textóó€is€redundant€and€confusing.Š j  ŠĢ(ii)€There€is€a€possibility€of€misconstruingŠ ą0 Šthe€provision€if€it€is€placed€in€the€text,€asŠ Ć Šbeing€intended€to€make€an€action€misconductŠ ¦ö Šthat€is€not€encompassed€within€the€standardŠ ‰Ł Šof€paragraph€(d).€€The€gloss€in€proposedŠ l¼ ŠComment€[5]€increases€the€possibility€ofŠ OŸ Šmisconstruction.€€I€agree€with€one€critic€whoŠ 2‚ Šurged€the€provision€be€in€comment€rather€thanŠ e Šin€a€separate€paragraph€in€text.€[ReferringŠ ųH Što€comment€of€Alan€A.€Abramowitz,€Esquire,Š Ū+ Šappearing€in€Pp.€389„90€of€the€SelectŠ ¾ ŠCommitteeššs€Report].Š ”ń ŠĢ(iii)€The€ABA€in€its€[Ethics€2000]€ModelŠ g· ŠRules€provides€this€in€a€comment€under€RuleŠ Jš Š8.4€after€having€considered€and€rejected€textŠ - } Šprovisions€on€multiple€occasions;€greaterŠ !`  Šuniformity€can€therefore€be€expected.ņņ2Ō‡XoXXh/X“gŌóóŠ ó!C! ŠĢ(iv)€Comment€language€is€desirable€thatŠ ž#ī# Šparallels€a€judgeššs€responsibility€under€MDŠ f$¶$ ŠCode€of€Judicial€Conduct€Canon€3A€(10),Š .%~ % Šproviding:Š ö%F!& ŠĢŅø ` ŅŅø ` Ņ(10)€€A€judge€shall€require€lawyersŠ †'Ö"( Šin€proceedings€before€the€judge€toŠ N(ž#) Šrefrain€from€manifesting,€by€wordsŠ )f$* Šof€conduct,€bias€or€prejudice€basedŠ Ž).%+ Šupon€race,€sex,€religion,€nationalŠ ¦*ö%, Šorigin,€disability,€age,€sexualŠ n+¾&- Šorientation€or€socioeconomicŠ 6,†'. Šstatus,€against€parties,€witnessesŠ ž,N(/ Šcounsel€or€others.€€This€Section€3BŠ Ę-)0 Š(10)€(ņņsicóó)€does€not€precludeŠ ° Šlegitimate€advocacy€when€race,€sex,Š xČ Šreligion,€national€origin,Š @ Šdisability,€age,€sexual€orientationŠ X Šof€socioeconomic€status,€or€otherŠ Š  Šsimilar€factors,€are€issues€in€theŠ ˜č Šproceeding.Š ` ° ŠĢҰø ŅҰø ŅÓÓI€subscribe€to€Mr.€Moserššs€reasoning.€€For€those€reasons€andŠ š @ Šothers€stated€above,€I€would€not€have€included€Rule€8.4€(e)€inŠ € Š  Šthe€body€of€the€Rule.Š `  ŠĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢ_________________________Š @" ŠÓÓņņ1óóAt€least€two€other€members€of€the€Select€Committee,€Albert€D.Š Š $ ŠBrault,€Esquire,€and€Alvin€I.€Frederick,€Esquire,€effectivelyŠ ˜!č% Šjoined€Mr.€Moserššs€Minority€Report€by€virtue€of€a€letter,€datedŠ `"°& Š11€February€2004,€to€the€Committee€chair,€Judge€LawrenceŠ (#x' ŠRodowsky.Ō#†/X“gXXXoXĒ+#ŌŠ š#@( ŠĢņņ2óóI€note€that€the€Court€was€informed€at€its€public€hearing€that€noŠ ›%ė * Šother€State€has€included€this€language€in€the€body€of€the€Rule,Š ~&Ī!+ Šreserving€it€instead€for€the€Comment,€if€at€all.Š  a'±", Šą@l l ģąņ ņAPPENDIX:€€THE€MARYLAND€LAWYERSššó óˆŠ ° Šą@ ģąņ ņRULES€OF€PROFESSIONAL€CONDUCTó óˆŠ “ć ŠĢĢą@šš"ģąņ ņTABLE€OF€CONTENTSó óˆŠ <Œ ŠĢĢPreamble:€A€Lawyerššs€ResponsibilitiesŠ å 5 ŠScopeŠ Č  ŠĢRule€Š Ž Ž  ŠĢ1.0.€€Terminology.Š T¤  ŠĢĢą@Ō Ō ģąņ ņCLIENT„LAWYER€RELATIONSHIPˆŠ żM  ŠĢó ó1.1.€€Competence.Š Ć Š1.2.€€Scope€of€Representation€and€Allocation€of€Authority€BetweenŠ ¦ö Š€€€€€€Client€and€Lawyer.Š ‰Ł Š1.3.€€Diligence.Š l¼ Š1.4.€€Communication.Š OŸ Š1.5.€€Fees.Š 2‚ Š1.6.€€Confidentiality€of€Information.Š e Š1.7.€€Conflict€of€Interest:€General€Rule.Š ųH Š1.8.€€Conflict€of€Interest:€Current€Clients:€Specific€Rules.Š Ū+ Š1.9.€€Duties€to€Former€Clients.Š ¾ Š1.10.€Imputation€of€Conflicts€of€Interest:€General€Rule.Š ”ń Š1.11.€Special€Conflicts€of€Interest€for€Former€and€CurrentŠ „Ō Š€€€€€€Government€Officers€and€EmployeesŠ g· Š1.12.€Former€Judge,€Arbitrator,€Mediator€or€Other€Third„PartyŠ Jš Š€€€€€€Neutral.Š - } Š1.13.€Organization€as€Client.Š !`  Š1.14.€Client€with€Diminished€Capacity.Š ó!C! Š1.15.€Safekeeping€Property.Š Ö"&" Š1.16.€Declining€or€Terminating€Representation.Š ¹# # Š1.17.€Sale€of€Law€Practice.Š œ$ģ$ Š1.18.€Duties€to€Prospective€Client.Š %Ļ % ŠĢą@ŠŠ&ģąņ ņCOUNSELORó óˆŠ E'•"' ŠĢ2.1.€€Advisor.Š  )[$) Š2.2.€€Intermediary.€[DELETED]Š ī)>%* Š2.3.€€Evaluation€for€Use€by€Third€Parties.Š Ń*!&+ Š2.4.€€Lawyer€Serving€as€Third„Party€Neutral.Š “+', ŠĢŠ z-Ź(. Šą@  &ģąņ ņADVOCATEó óˆŠ ° ŠĢ3.1.€€Meritorious€Claims€and€Contentions.Š vĘ Š3.2.€€Expediting€Litigation.Š Y© Š3.3.€€Candor€Toward€the€Tribunal.Š <Œ Š3.4.€€Fairness€to€Opposing€Party€and€Counsel.Š  o Š3.5.€€Impartiality€and€Decorum€of€the€Tribunal.Š  R Š3.6.€€Trial€Publicity.Š å 5 Š3.7.€€Lawyer€as€Witness.Š Č  Š3.8.€€Special€Responsibilities€of€a€Prosecutor.Š « ū  Š3.9.€€Advocate€in€Nonadjudicative€Proceedings.Š Ž Ž  ŠĢĢą@œ œ ģąņ ņTRANSACTIONS€WITH€PERSONS€OTHER€THAN€CLIENTSó óˆŠ 7‡  ŠĢ4.1.€€Truthfulness€in€Statements€to€Others.Š żM  Š4.2.€€Communications€with€Person€Represented€by€Counsel.Š ą0 Š4.3.€€Dealing€with€Unrepresented€Person.Š Ć Š4.4.€€Respect€for€Rights€of€Third€Persons.Š ¦ö ŠĢĢą@Ō Ō ģąņ ņLAW€FIRMS€AND€ASSOCIATIONSˆŠ OŸ ŠĢó ó5.1.€€Responsibilities€of€Partners,€Managers,€and€SupervisoryŠ e Š€€€€€€Lawyers.Š ųH Š5.2.€€Responsibilities€of€a€Subordinate€Lawyer.Š Ū+ Š5.3.€€Responsibilities€Regarding€Nonlawyer€Assistants.Š ¾ Š5.4.€€Professional€Independence€of€a€Lawyer.Š ”ń Š5.5.€€Unauthorized€Practice€of€Law;€Multi„jurisdictional€PracticeŠ „Ō Š€€€€€€of€Law.Š g· Š5.6.€€Restrictions€on€Right€to€Practice.Š Jš Š5.7.€€Responsibilities€Regarding€Law„Related€Services.Š - } ŠĢĢą@¤¤#ģąņ ņPUBLIC€SERVICEó óˆŠ Ö"&" ŠĢ6.1.€€Pro€Bono€Publico€Service.Š œ$ģ$ Š6.2.€€Accepting€Appointments.Š %Ļ % Š6.3.€€Membership€in€Legal€Services€Organization.Š b&²!& Š6.4.€€Law€Reform€Activities€Affecting€Client€Interests.Š E'•"' Š6.5.€€Nonprofit€and€Court„Annexed€Limited€Legal€ServicesŠ ((x#( Š€€€€€€Programs.Š  )[$) ŠĢĢŠ  “+', Šą@l l ģąņ ņINFORMATION€ABOUT€LEGAL€SERVICESó óˆŠ ° ŠĢ7.1.€€Communications€Concerning€a€Lawyerššs€Services.Š vĘ Š7.2.€€Advertising.Š Y© Š7.3.€€Direct€Contact€with€Prospective€Clients.Š <Œ Š7.4.€€Communication€of€Fields€of€Practice.Š  o Š7.5.€€Firm€Names€and€Letterheads.Š  R ŠĢĢą@Ų Ų ģąņ ņMAINTAINING€THE€INTEGRITY€OF€THE€PROFESSIONó óˆŠ « ū  ŠĢ8.1.€€Bar€Admission€and€Disciplinary€Matters.Š qĮ  Š8.2.€€Judicial€and€Legal€Officials.Š T¤  Š8.3.€€Reporting€Professional€Misconduct.Š 7‡  Š8.4.€€Misconduct.Š j  Š8.5.€€Disciplinary€Authority;€Choice€of€Law.Š żM  ŠĢĢĢŠ  ‰Ł Šą@ ģąņ ņTHE€MARYLAND€LAWYERSššó óˆŠ ° Šą@ ģąņ ņRULES€OF€PROFESSIONAL€CONDUCTó óˆŠ “ć ŠĢĢņ ņą@@ @ ģąPREAMBLE:€A€LAWYERššS€RESPONSIBILITIESˆŠ <Œ Šó óĢą  ą[1]€A€lawyer,€as€a€member€of€the€legal€profession,€is€aŠ  R Šrepresentative€of€clients,€an€officer€of€the€legal€system€and€aŠ å 5 Špublic€citizen€having€special€responsibility€for€the€quality€ofŠ Č  Šjustice.Š « ū  ŠĢą  ą[2]€As€a€representative€of€clients,€a€lawyer€performsŠ qĮ  Švarious€functions.€€As€advisor,€a€lawyer€provides€a€client€withŠ T¤  Šan€informed€understanding€of€the€client's€legal€rights€andŠ 7‡  Šobligations€and€explains€their€practical€implications.€€AsŠ j  Šadvocate,€a€lawyer€zealously€asserts€the€client's€position€underŠ żM  Šthe€rules€of€the€adversary€system.€€As€negotiator,€a€lawyer€seeksŠ ą0 Ša€result€advantageous€to€the€client€but€consistent€withŠ Ć Šrequirements€of€honest€Ō% ‡ ŌŌ%† KŌdealing€with€others.€€As€evaluator,€aŠ ¦ö Šlawyer€acts€by€examining€a€client's€legal€affairs€and€reportingŠ ‰Ł Šabout€them€to€the€client€or€to€others.Š l¼ ŠĢą  ą[3]€In€addition€to€these€representational€functions,€aŠ 2‚ Šlawyer€may€serve€as€a€third„party€neutral,€a€nonrepresentationalŠ e Šrole€helping€the€parties€to€resolve€a€dispute€or€other€matter.€Š ųH ŠSome€of€these€Rules€apply€directly€to€lawyers€who€are€or€haveŠ Ū+ Šserved€as€third„party€neutrals.€€See,€e.g.,€Rules€1.12€and€2.4.€Š ¾ ŠIn€addition,€there€are€Rules€that€apply€to€lawyers€who€are€notŠ ”ń Šactive€in€the€practice€of€law€or€to€practicing€lawyers€even€whenŠ „Ō Šthey€are€acting€in€a€nonprofessional€capacity.€€For€example,€aŠ g· Šlawyer€who€commits€fraud€in€the€conduct€of€a€business€is€subjectŠ Jš Što€discipline€for€engaging€in€conduct€involving€dishonesty,Š - } Šfraud,€deceit€or€misrepresentation.€€See€Rule€8.4.Š !`  ŠĢą  ą[4]€In€all€professional€functions€a€lawyer€should€beŠ Ö"&" Šcompetent,€prompt€and€diligent.€€A€lawyer€should€maintainŠ ¹# # Šcommunication€with€a€client€concerning€the€representation.€€AŠ œ$ģ$ Šlawyer€should€keep€in€confidence€information€relating€toŠ %Ļ % Šrepresentation€of€a€client€except€so€far€as€disclosure€isŠ b&²!& Šrequired€or€permitted€by€the€Maryland€Lawyersšš€Rules€ofŠ E'•"' ŠProfessional€Conduct€or€other€law.Š ((x#( ŠĢą  ą[5]€A€lawyer's€conduct€should€conform€to€the€requirements€ofŠ ī)>%* Šthe€law,€both€in€professional€service€to€clients€and€in€theŠ Ń*!&+ Šlawyer's€business€and€personal€affairs.€€A€lawyer€should€use€theŠ “+', Šlaw's€procedures€only€for€legitimate€purposes€and€not€to€harassŠ —,ē'- Šor€intimidate€others.€€A€lawyer€should€demonstrate€respect€forŠ z-Ź(. Šthe€legal€system€and€for€those€who€serve€it,€including€judges,Š ° Šother€lawyers€and€public€officials.€€While€it€is€a€lawyer's€duty,Š “ć Šwhen€necessary,€to€challenge€the€rectitude€of€official€action,€itŠ vĘ Šis€also€a€lawyer's€duty€to€uphold€legal€process.Š Y© ŠĢą  ą[6]€As€a€public€citizen,€a€lawyer€should€seek€improvement€ofŠ  o Šthe€law,€access€to€the€legal€system,€the€administration€ofŠ  R Šjustice€and€the€quality€of€service€rendered€by€the€legalŠ å 5 Šprofession.€€As€a€member€of€a€learned€profession,€a€lawyer€shouldŠ Č  Šcultivate€knowledge€of€the€law€beyond€its€use€for€clients,€employŠ « ū  Šthat€knowledge€in€reform€of€the€law€and€work€to€strengthen€legalŠ Ž Ž  Šeducation.€€In€addition,€a€lawyer€should€further€the€publicššsŠ qĮ  Šunderstanding€of€and€confidence€in€the€rule€of€law€and€theŠ T¤  Šjustice€system€because€legal€institutions€in€a€constitutionalŠ 7‡  Šdemocracy€depend€on€popular€participation€and€support€to€maintainŠ j  Štheir€authority.€€A€lawyer€should€be€mindful€of€deficiencies€inŠ żM  Šthe€administration€of€justice€and€of€the€fact€that€the€poor,€andŠ ą0 Šsometimes€persons€who€are€not€poor,€cannot€afford€adequate€legalŠ Ć Šassistance.€€Therefore,€all€lawyers€should€devote€professionalŠ ¦ö Štime€and€resources€and€use€civic€influence€to€ensure€equal€accessŠ ‰Ł Što€our€system€of€justice€for€all€those€who€because€of€economic€orŠ l¼ Šsocial€barriers€cannot€afford€or€secure€adequate€legal€counsel.€Š OŸ ŠA€lawyer€should€aid€the€legal€profession€in€pursuing€theseŠ 2‚ Šobjectives€and€should€help€the€bar€regulate€itself€in€the€publicŠ e Šinterest.Š ųH ŠĢą  ą[7]€Many€of€a€lawyer's€professional€responsibilities€areŠ ¾ Šprescribed€in€the€Maryland€Lawyersšš€Rules€of€ProfessionalŠ ”ń ŠConduct,€as€well€as€substantive€and€procedural€law.€€However,€aŠ „Ō Šlawyer€is€also€guided€by€personal€conscience€and€the€approbationŠ g· Šof€professional€peers.€€A€lawyer€should€strive€to€attain€theŠ Jš Šhighest€level€of€skill,€to€improve€the€law€and€the€legalŠ - } Šprofession€and€to€exemplify€the€legal€profession's€ideals€ofŠ !`  Špublic€service.Š ó!C! ŠĢą  ą[8]€A€lawyer's€responsibilities€as€a€representative€ofŠ ¹# # Šclients,€an€officer€of€the€legal€system€and€a€public€citizen€areŠ œ$ģ$ Šusually€harmonious.€€Thus,€when€an€opposing€party€is€wellŠ %Ļ % Šrepresented,€a€lawyer€can€be€a€zealous€advocate€on€behalf€of€aŠ b&²!& Šclient€and€at€the€same€time€assume€that€justice€is€being€done.€Š E'•"' ŠSo€also,€a€lawyer€can€be€sure€that€preserving€client€confidencesŠ ((x#( Šordinarily€serves€the€public€interest€because€people€are€moreŠ  )[$) Šlikely€to€seek€legal€advice,€and€thereby€heed€their€legalŠ ī)>%* Šobligations,€when€they€know€their€communications€will€be€private.Š Ń*!&+ ŠĢą  ą[9]€In€the€nature€of€law€practice,€however,€conflictingŠ —,ē'- Šresponsibilities€are€Ō% ‡" ŌŌ%†"š`Ōencountered.€€Virtually€all€difficultŠ z-Ź(. Šethical€problems€arise€from€conflict€between€a€lawyer'sŠ ° Šresponsibilities€to€clients,€to€the€legal€system€and€to€theŠ “ć Šlawyer's€own€interest€in€remaining€an€ethical€person€whileŠ vĘ Šearning€a€satisfactory€living.€€The€Maryland€Lawyersšš€Rules€ofŠ Y© ŠProfessional€Conduct€often€prescribe€terms€for€resolving€suchŠ <Œ Šconflicts.€€Within€the€framework€of€these€Rules,€however,€manyŠ  o Šdifficult€issues€of€professional€discretion€can€arise.€€SuchŠ  R Šissues€must€be€resolved€through€the€exercise€of€sensitiveŠ å 5 Šprofessional€and€moral€judgment€guided€by€the€basic€principlesŠ Č  Šunderlying€the€Rules.€€These€principles€include€the€lawyerššsŠ « ū  Šobligation€zealously€to€protect€and€pursue€a€clientššs€legitimateŠ Ž Ž  Šinterests,€within€the€bounds€of€the€law,€while€maintaining€aŠ qĮ  Šprofessional,€courteous€and€civil€attitude€toward€all€personsŠ T¤  Šinvolved€in€the€legal€system.Š 7‡  ŠĢą  ą[10]€The€legal€profession€is€largely€self„governing.€Š żM  ŠAlthough€other€professions€also€have€been€granted€powers€of€self„Š ą0 Šgovernment,€the€legal€profession€is€unique€in€this€respectŠ Ć Šbecause€of€the€close€relationship€between€the€profession€and€theŠ ¦ö Šprocesses€of€government€and€law€enforcement.€€This€connection€isŠ ‰Ł Šmanifested€in€the€fact€that€ultimate€authority€over€the€legalŠ l¼ Šprofession€is€vested€largely€in€the€courts.Š OŸ ŠĢą  ą[11]€To€the€extent€that€lawyers€meet€the€obligations€ofŠ e Štheir€professional€calling,€the€occasion€for€governmentŠ ųH Šregulation€is€obviated.€€Self„regulation€also€helps€maintain€theŠ Ū+ Šlegal€profession's€independence€from€government€domination.€€AnŠ ¾ Šindependent€legal€profession€is€an€important€force€in€preservingŠ ”ń Šgovernment€under€law,€for€abuse€of€legal€authority€is€moreŠ „Ō Šreadily€challenged€by€a€profession€whose€members€are€notŠ g· Šdependent€on€government€for€the€right€to€practice.Š Jš ŠĢą  ą[12]€The€legal€profession's€relative€autonomy€carries€withŠ !`  Šit€special€responsibilities€of€self„government.€€The€professionŠ ó!C! Šhas€a€responsibility€to€assure€that€its€regulations€are€conceivedŠ Ö"&" Šin€the€public€interest€and€not€in€furtherance€of€parochial€orŠ ¹# # Šself„interested€concerns€of€the€bar.€€Every€lawyer€is€responsibleŠ œ$ģ$ Šfor€observance€of€the€Maryland€Lawyersšš€Rules€of€ProfessionalŠ %Ļ % ŠConduct.€€A€lawyer€should€also€aid€in€securing€their€observanceŠ b&²!& Šby€other€lawyers.€€Neglect€of€these€responsibilities€compromisesŠ E'•"' Šthe€independence€of€the€profession€and€the€public€interest€whichŠ ((x#( Šit€serves.Š  )[$) ŠĢą  ą[13]€Lawyers€play€a€vital€role€in€the€preservation€ofŠ Ń*!&+ Šsociety.€€The€fulfillment€of€this€role€requires€an€understandingŠ “+', Šby€lawyers€of€their€relationship€to€our€legal€system.€€The€Š  —,ē'- ŠMaryland€Lawyersšš€Rules€of€Professional€Conduct,€when€properlyŠ ° Šapplied,€serve€to€define€that€relationship.Š “ć ŠĢĢą@ĄĄ(ģąņ ņSCOPEó óˆŠ <Œ ŠĢą  ą[14]€The€Maryland€Lawyersšš€Rules€of€Professional€Conduct€areŠ  R Šrules€of€reason.€€They€should€be€interpreted€with€reference€toŠ å 5 Šthe€purposes€of€legal€representation€and€of€the€law€itself.€€SomeŠ Č  Šof€the€Rules€are€imperatives,€cast€in€the€terms€"shall"€or€"shallŠ « ū  Šnot."€€These€define€proper€conduct€for€purposes€of€professionalŠ Ž Ž  Šdiscipline.€€Others,€generally€cast€in€the€term€"may,"€areŠ qĮ  Špermissive€and€define€areas€under€the€Rules€in€which€the€lawyerŠ T¤  Šhas€discretion€to€exercise€professional€judgment.€€NoŠ 7‡  Šdisciplinary€action€should€be€taken€when€the€lawyer€chooses€notŠ j  Što€act€or€acts€within€the€bounds€of€such€discretion.€€Other€RulesŠ żM  Šdefine€the€nature€of€relationships€between€the€lawyer€and€others.€Š ą0 ŠThe€Rules€are€thus€partly€obligatory€and€disciplinary€and€partlyŠ Ć Šconstitutive€and€descriptive€in€that€they€define€a€lawyer'sŠ ¦ö Šprofessional€role.€€Many€of€the€Comments€use€the€term€"should."€Š ‰Ł ŠComments€do€not€add€obligations€to€the€Rules€but€provide€guidanceŠ l¼ Šfor€practicing€in€compliance€with€the€Rules.Š OŸ ŠĢą  ą[15]€The€Rules€presuppose€a€larger€legal€context€shaping€theŠ e Šlawyer's€role.€€That€context€includes€court€rules€and€statutesŠ ųH Šrelating€to€matters€of€licensure,€laws€defining€specificŠ Ū+ Šobligations€of€lawyers€and€substantive€and€procedural€law€inŠ ¾ Šgeneral.€€The€Comments€are€sometimes€used€to€alert€lawyers€toŠ ”ń Štheir€responsibilities€under€such€other€law.Š „Ō ŠĢą  ą[16]€Compliance€with€the€Rules,€as€with€all€law€in€an€openŠ Jš Šsociety,€depends€primarily€upon€understanding€and€voluntaryŠ - } Šcompliance,€secondarily€upon€reinforcement€by€peer€and€publicŠ !`  Šopinion€and€finally,€when€necessary,€upon€enforcement€throughŠ ó!C! Šdisciplinary€proceedings.€€The€Rules€do€not,€however,€exhaust€theŠ Ö"&" Šmoral€and€ethical€considerations€that€should€inform€a€lawyer,€forŠ ¹# # Šno€worthwhile€human€activity€can€be€completely€defined€by€legalŠ œ$ģ$ Šrules.€€The€Rules€simply€provide€a€framework€for€the€ethicalŠ %Ļ % Špractice€of€law.Š b&²!& ŠĢą  ą[17]€Furthermore,€for€purposes€of€determining€the€lawyer'sŠ ((x#( Šauthority€and€responsibility,€principles€of€substantive€lawŠ  )[$) Šexternal€to€these€Rules€determine€whether€a€client„lawyerŠ ī)>%* Šrelationship€exists.€€Most€of€the€duties€flowing€from€the€client„Š Ń*!&+ Šlawyer€relationship€attach€only€after€the€client€has€requestedŠ “+', Šthe€lawyer€to€render€legal€services€and€the€lawyer€has€agreed€toŠ —,ē'- Šdo€so.€€But€there€are€some€duties,€such€as€that€ofŠ z-Ź(. Šconfidentiality€under€Rule€1.6,€that€attach€when€the€lawyerŠ ° Šagrees€to€consider€whether€a€client„lawyer€relationship€shall€beŠ “ć Šestablished.€€See€Rule€1.18.€€Whether€a€client„lawyerŠ vĘ Šrelationship€exists€for€any€specific€purpose€can€depend€on€theŠ Y© Šcircumstances€and€may€be€a€question€of€fact.Š <Œ ŠĢą  ą[18]€Under€various€legal€provisions,€includingŠ  R Šconstitutional,€statutory€and€common€law,€the€responsibilities€ofŠ å 5 Šgovernment€lawyers€may€include€authority€concerning€legal€mattersŠ Č  Šthat€ordinarily€reposes€in€the€client€in€private€client„lawyerŠ « ū  Šrelationships.€€For€example,€a€lawyer€for€a€government€agency€mayŠ Ž Ž  Šhave€authority€on€behalf€of€the€government€to€decide€uponŠ qĮ  Šsettlement€or€whether€to€appeal€from€an€adverse€judgment.€€SuchŠ T¤  Šauthority€in€various€respects€is€generally€vested€in€the€attorneyŠ 7‡  Šgeneral€and€the€state's€attorney€in€state€government,€and€theirŠ j  Šfederal€counterparts,€and€the€same€may€be€true€of€otherŠ żM  Šgovernment€law€officers.€€Also,€lawyers€under€the€supervision€ofŠ ą0 Šthese€officers€may€be€authorized€to€represent€several€governmentŠ Ć Šagencies€in€intra„governmental€legal€controversies€inŠ ¦ö Šcircumstances€where€a€private€lawyer€could€not€represent€multipleŠ ‰Ł Šprivate€clients.€€These€Rules€do€not€abrogate€any€such€authority.Š l¼ ŠĢą  ą[19]€Failure€to€comply€with€an€obligation€or€prohibitionŠ 2‚ Šimposed€by€a€Rule€is€a€basis€for€invoking€the€disciplinaryŠ e Šprocess.€€The€Rules€presuppose€that€disciplinary€assessment€of€aŠ ųH Šlawyer's€conduct€will€be€made€on€the€basis€of€the€facts€andŠ Ū+ Šcircumstances€as€they€existed€at€the€time€of€the€conduct€inŠ ¾ Šquestion€and€in€recognition€of€the€fact€that€a€lawyer€often€hasŠ ”ń Što€act€upon€uncertain€or€incomplete€evidence€of€the€situation.€Š „Ō ŠMoreover,€the€Rules€presuppose€that€whether€or€not€disciplineŠ g· Šshould€be€imposed€for€a€violation,€and€the€severity€of€aŠ Jš Šsanction,€depend€on€all€the€circumstances,€such€as€theŠ - } Šwillfulness€and€seriousness€of€the€violation,€extenuating€factorsŠ !`  Šand€whether€there€have€been€previous€violations.Š ó!C! ŠĢą  ą[20]€Violation€of€a€Rule€should€not€itself€give€rise€to€aŠ ¹# # Šcause€of€action€against€a€lawyer€nor€should€it€create€anyŠ œ$ģ$ Špresumption€in€such€a€case€that€a€legal€duty€has€been€breached.€Š %Ļ % ŠIn€addition,€violation€of€a€Rule€does€not€necessarily€warrant€anyŠ b&²!& Šother€non„disciplinary€remedy,€such€as€disqualification€of€aŠ E'•"' Šlawyer€in€pending€litigation.€€The€Rules€are€designed€to€provideŠ ((x#( Šguidance€to€lawyers€and€to€provide€a€structure€for€regulatingŠ  )[$) Šconduct€through€disciplinary€agencies.€€They€are€not€designed€toŠ ī)>%* Šbe€a€basis€for€civil€liability.€€Furthermore,€the€purpose€of€theŠ Ń*!&+ ŠRules€can€be€subverted€when€they€are€invoked€by€opposing€partiesŠ “+', Šas€procedural€weapons.€€The€fact€that€a€Rule€is€a€just€basis€forŠ —,ē'- Ša€lawyer's€self„assessment,€or€for€sanctioning€a€lawyer€under€theŠ z-Ź(. Šadministration€of€a€disciplinary€authority,€does€not€imply€thatŠ ° Šan€antagonist€in€a€collateral€proceeding€or€transaction€hasŠ “ć Šstanding€to€seek€enforcement€of€the€Rule.€€Nevertheless,€in€someŠ vĘ Šcircumstances,€a€lawyerššs€violation€of€a€Rule€may€be€evidence€ofŠ Y© Šbreach€of€the€applicable€standard€of€conduct.€€Nothing€in€thisŠ <Œ ŠPreamble€and€Scope€is€intended€to€detract€from€the€holdings€ofŠ  o Šthe€Court€of€Appeals€in€ņņPost€v.€Bregmanóó,€349€Md.€142€(1998)€andŠ  R ŠņņSon€v.€Margolius,€Mallios,€Davis,€Rider€&€Tomaróó,€349€Md.€441Š å 5 Š(1998).Š Č  ŠĢą  ą[21]€The€Comment€accompanying€each€Rule€explains€andŠ Ž Ž  Šillustrates€the€meaning€and€purpose€of€the€Rule.€€The€PreambleŠ qĮ  Šand€this€note€on€Scope€provide€general€orientation.€€The€CommentsŠ T¤  Šare€intended€as€guides€to€interpretation,€but€the€text€of€eachŠ 7‡  ŠRule€is€authoritative.Š j  ŠĢą  ąņ ņModel€Rules€Comparison.„ó ó€With€the€exception€of€wordingŠ ą0 Šchanges€to€paragraph€[20],€the€Preamble€and€Scope€areŠ Ć Šsubstantially€similar€to€the€language€of€the€Ethics€2000Š ¦ö ŠAmendments€to€the€ABA€Model€Rules€of€Professional€Conduct.Š ‰Ł ŠŠ  l¼ ŠŻ‚’’’Żņ ņŻ  ŻŻ‚’’’ŎŻŻ  ŻRule€1.0.€€Terminology.Żƒ’’ŎćŽ݌Š ° Ќó óŻ  ŻĢą  ą(a)€"Belief"€or€"believes"€denotes€that€the€person€involvedŠ vĘ Šactually€supposed€the€fact€in€question€to€be€true.€€A€person'sŠ Y© Šbelief€may€be€inferred€from€circumstances.Š <Œ ŠĢą  ą(b)€š šConfirmed€in€writing,šš€when€used€in€reference€to€theŠ  R Šinformed€consent€of€a€person,€denotes€informed€consent€that€isŠ å 5 Šgiven€in€writing€by€the€person€or€a€writing€that€a€lawyerŠ Č  Špromptly€transmits€to€the€person€confirming€an€oral€informedŠ « ū  Šconsent.€€See€paragraph€(f)€for€the€definition€of€š šinformedŠ Ž Ž  Šconsent.šš€€If€it€is€not€feasible€to€obtain€or€transmit€theŠ qĮ  Šwriting€at€the€time€the€person€gives€informed€consent,€then€theŠ T¤  Šlawyer€must€obtain€or€transmit€it€within€a€reasonable€timeŠ 7‡  Šthereafter.Š j  ŠĢą  ą(c)€š šConsultšš€or€š šconsultationšš€denotes€communication€ofŠ ą0 Šinformation€reasonably€sufficient€to€permit€the€client€toŠ Ć Šappreciate€the€significance€of€the€matter€in€question.Š ¦ö ŠĢą  ą(d)€"Firm"€or€"law€firm"€denotes:Š l¼ ŠĢą  ąą ` ą(1)€an€association€of€a€lawyer€or€lawyers€in€a€lawŠ 2‚ Špartnership,€professional€corporation,€sole€proprietorship€orŠ e Šother€association€formed€for€the€practice€of€law;€or€Š ųH ŠĢą  ąą ` ą(2)€a€legal€services€organization€or€the€legalŠ ¾ Šdepartment€of€a€corporation,€government€or€other€organization.Š ”ń ŠĢą  ą(e)€"Fraud"€or€"fraudulent"€denotes€conduct€that€isŠ g· Šfraudulent€under€the€substantive€or€procedural€law€of€theŠ Jš Šapplicable€jurisdiction€and€has€a€purpose€to€deceive.Š - } ŠĢą  ą(f)€š šInformed€consentšš€denotes€the€agreement€by€a€person€toŠ ó!C! Ša€proposed€course€of€conduct€after€the€lawyer€has€communicatedŠ Ö"&" Šadequate€information€and€explanation€about€the€material€risks€ofŠ ¹# # Šand€reasonably€available€alternatives€to€the€proposed€course€ofŠ œ$ģ$ Šconduct.€Š %Ļ % ŠĢą  ą(g)€"Knowingly,"€"known,"€or€"knows"€denotes€actualŠ E'•"' Šknowledge€of€the€fact€in€question.€€A€person's€knowledge€may€beŠ ((x#( Šinferred€from€circumstances.Š  )[$) ŠĢą  ą(h)€š šLaw€firm.šš€€See€Rule€1.0(d).Š Ń*!&+ ŠĢą  ą(i)€"Partner"€denotes€a€member€of€a€partnership,€aŠ —,ē'- Šshareholder€in€a€law€firm€organized€as€a€professionalŠ z-Ź(. Šcorporation,€or€a€member€of€an€association€authorized€to€practiceŠ ° Šlaw.Š “ć ŠĢą  ą(j)€"Reasonable"€or€"reasonably"€when€used€in€relation€toŠ Y© Šconduct€by€a€lawyer€denotes€the€conduct€of€a€reasonably€prudentŠ <Œ Šand€competent€lawyer.Š  o ŠĢą  ą(k)€"Reasonable€belief"€or€"reasonably€believes"€when€usedŠ å 5 Šin€reference€to€a€lawyer€denotes€that€the€lawyer€believes€theŠ Č  Šmatter€in€question€and€that€the€circumstances€are€such€that€theŠ « ū  Šbelief€is€reasonable.Š Ž Ž  ŠĢą  ą(l)€"Reasonably€should€know"€when€used€in€reference€to€aŠ T¤  Šlawyer€denotes€that€a€lawyer€of€reasonable€prudence€andŠ 7‡  Šcompetence€would€ascertain€the€matter€in€question.Š j  ŠĢą  ą(m)€š šScreenedšš€denotes€the€isolation€of€a€lawyer€from€anyŠ ą0 Šparticipation€in€a€matter€through€the€timely€imposition€ofŠ Ć Šprocedures€within€a€firm€that€are€reasonably€adequate€under€theŠ ¦ö Šcircumstances€to€protect€information€that€the€isolated€lawyer€isŠ ‰Ł Šobligated€to€protect€under€these€Rules€or€other€law.Š l¼ ŠĢą  ą(n)€"Substantial"€when€used€in€reference€to€degree€or€extentŠ 2‚ Šdenotes€a€material€matter€of€clear€and€weighty€importance.Š e ŠĢą  ą(o)€š šTribunalšš€denotes€a€court,€an€arbitrator€in€a€bindingŠ Ū+ Šarbitration€proceeding€or€a€legislative€body,€administrativeŠ ¾ Šagency€or€other€body€acting€in€an€adjudicative€capacity.€€AŠ ”ń Šlegislative€body,€administrative€agency€or€other€body€acts€in€anŠ „Ō Šadjudicative€capacity€when€a€neutral€official,€after€theŠ g· Špresentation€of€evidence€or€legal€argument€by€a€party€or€parties,Š Jš Šwill€render€a€binding€legal€decision€directly€affecting€a€partyššsŠ - } Šinterests€in€a€particular€matter.Š !`  ŠĢą  ą(p)€š šWritingšš€or€š šwrittenšš€denotes€a€tangible€or€electronicŠ Ö"&" Šrecord€of€a€communication€or€representation,€includingŠ ¹# # Šhandwriting,€typewriting,€printing,€photostating,€photography,Š œ$ģ$ Šaudio€or€video„recording€and€e„mail.€€A€š šsignedšš€writing€includesŠ %Ļ % Šan€electronic€sound,€symbol€or€process€attached€to€or€logicallyŠ b&²!& Šassociated€with€a€writing€and€executed€or€adopted€by€a€personŠ E'•"' Šwith€the€intent€to€sign€the€writing.Š ((x#( ŠĢą@HH'ģąņ ņCOMMENTó óˆŠ ī)>%* ŠĢņņConfirmed€in€WritingóóŠ “+', ŠĢą  ą[1]€If€it€is€not€feasible€to€obtain€or€transmit€a€writtenŠ z-Ź(. Šconfirmation€at€the€time€the€client€gives€informed€consent,€thenŠ ° Šthe€lawyer€must€obtain€or€transmit€it€within€a€reasonable€timeŠ “ć Šthereafter.€€If€a€lawyer€has€obtained€a€clientššs€informedŠ vĘ Šconsent,€the€lawyer€may€act€in€reliance€on€that€consent€so€longŠ Y© Šas€it€is€confirmed€in€writing€within€a€reasonable€timeŠ <Œ Šthereafter.Š  o ŠĢņņFirmóóŠ å 5 ŠĢą  ą[2]€Whether€two€or€more€lawyers€constitute€a€firm€withinŠ « ū  Šparagraph€(c)€can€depend€on€the€specific€facts.€€For€example,€twoŠ Ž Ž  Špractitioners€who€share€office€space€and€occasionally€consult€orŠ qĮ  Šassist€each€other€ordinarily€would€not€be€regarded€asŠ T¤  Šconstituting€a€firm.€€However,€if€they€present€themselves€to€theŠ 7‡  Špublic€in€a€way€that€suggests€that€they€are€a€firm€or€conductŠ j  Šthemselves€as€a€firm,€they€should€be€regarded€as€a€firm€forŠ żM  Špurposes€of€the€Rules.€€The€terms€of€any€formal€agreement€betweenŠ ą0 Šassociated€lawyers€are€relevant€in€determining€whether€they€are€aŠ Ć Šfirm,€as€is€the€fact€that€they€have€mutual€access€to€informationŠ ¦ö Šconcerning€the€clients€they€serve.€€Furthermore,€it€is€relevantŠ ‰Ł Šin€doubtful€cases€to€consider€the€underlying€purpose€of€the€RuleŠ l¼ Šthat€is€involved.€€A€group€of€lawyers€could€be€regarded€as€a€firmŠ OŸ Šfor€purposes€of€the€Rule€providing€that€the€same€lawyer€shouldŠ 2‚ Šnot€represent€opposing€parties€in€litigation,€while€it€might€notŠ e Šbe€so€regarded€for€purposes€of€the€Rule€that€information€acquiredŠ ųH Šby€one€lawyer€is€attributed€to€another.Š Ū+ ŠĢą  ą[3]€With€respect€to€the€law€department€of€an€organization,Š ”ń Šincluding€the€government,€there€is€ordinarily€no€question€thatŠ „Ō Šthe€members€of€the€department€constitute€a€firm€within€theŠ g· Šmeaning€of€the€Maryland€Lawyersšš€Rules€of€Professional€Conduct.€Š Jš ŠThere€can€be€uncertainty,€however,€as€to€the€identity€of€theŠ - } Šclient.€€For€example,€it€may€not€be€clear€whether€the€lawŠ !`  Šdepartment€of€a€corporation€represents€a€subsidiary€or€anŠ ó!C! Šaffiliated€corporation,€as€well€as€the€corporation€by€which€theŠ Ö"&" Šmembers€of€the€department€are€directly€employed.€€A€similarŠ ¹# # Šquestion€can€arise€concerning€an€unincorporated€association€andŠ œ$ģ$ Šits€local€affiliates.Š %Ļ % ŠĢą  ą[4]€Similar€questions€can€also€arise€with€respect€to€lawyersŠ E'•"' Šin€legal€aid€and€legal€services€organizations.€€Depending€uponŠ ((x#( Šthe€structure€of€the€organization,€the€entire€organization€orŠ  )[$) Šdifferent€components€of€it€may€constitute€a€firm€or€firms€forŠ ī)>%* Špurposes€of€these€Rules.Š Ń*!&+ ŠĢņņŠ  —,ē'- ŠFraudóóŠ ° ŠĢą  ą[5]€When€used€in€these€Rules,€the€terms€š šfraudšš€orŠ vĘ Šš šfraudulentšš€refer€to€conduct€that€is€characterized€as€such€underŠ Y© Šthe€substantive€or€procedural€law€of€the€applicable€jurisdictionŠ <Œ Šand€has€a€purpose€to€deceive.€€This€does€not€include€merelyŠ  o Šnegligent€misrepresentation€or€negligent€failure€to€appriseŠ  R Šanother€of€relevant€information.€€For€purposes€of€these€Rules,€itŠ å 5 Šis€not€necessary€that€anyone€has€suffered€damages€or€relied€onŠ Č  Šthe€misrepresentation€or€failure€to€inform.Š « ū  ŠĢņņInformed€ConsentóóŠ qĮ  ŠĢą  ą[6]€Many€of€the€Maryland€Lawyersšš€Rules€of€ProfessionalŠ 7‡  ŠConduct€require€the€lawyer€to€obtain€the€informed€consent€of€aŠ j  Šclient€or€other€person€(e.g.,€a€former€client€or,€under€certainŠ żM  Šcircumstances,€a€prospective€client)€before€accepting€orŠ ą0 Šcontinuing€representation€or€pursuing€a€course€of€conduct.€€See,Š Ć Še.g.,€Rules€1.2(c),€1.6(a)€and€1.7(b).€€The€communicationŠ ¦ö Šnecessary€to€obtain€such€consent€will€vary€according€to€the€RuleŠ ‰Ł Šinvolved€and€the€circumstances€giving€rise€to€the€need€to€obtainŠ l¼ Šinformed€consent.€€The€lawyer€must€make€reasonable€efforts€toŠ OŸ Šensure€that€the€client€or€other€person€possesses€informationŠ 2‚ Šreasonably€adequate€to€make€an€informed€decision.€€Ordinarily,Š e Šthis€will€require€communication€that€includes€a€disclosure€of€theŠ ųH Šfacts€and€circumstances€giving€rise€to€the€situation,€anyŠ Ū+ Šexplanation€reasonably€necessary€to€inform€the€client€or€otherŠ ¾ Šperson€of€the€material€advantages€and€disadvantages€of€theŠ ”ń Šproposed€course€of€conduct€and€a€discussion€of€the€clientššs€orŠ „Ō Šother€personššs€options€and€alternatives.€€In€some€circumstancesŠ g· Šit€may€be€appropriate€for€a€lawyer€to€advise€a€client€or€otherŠ Jš Šperson€of€facts€or€implications€already€known€to€the€client€orŠ - } Šother€person€to€seek€the€advice€of€other€counsel.€€A€lawyer€needŠ !`  Šnot€inform€a€client€or€other€person€of€facts€or€implicationsŠ ó!C! Šalready€known€to€the€client€or€other€person;€nevertheless,€aŠ Ö"&" Šlawyer€who€does€not€personally€inform€the€client€or€other€personŠ ¹# # Šassumes€the€risk€that€the€client€or€other€person€is€inadequatelyŠ œ$ģ$ Šinformed€and€the€consent€is€invalid.€€In€determining€whether€theŠ %Ļ % Šinformation€and€explanation€provided€are€reasonably€adequate,Š b&²!& Šrelevant€factors€include€whether€the€client€or€other€person€isŠ E'•"' Šexperienced€in€legal€matters€generally€and€in€making€decisions€ofŠ ((x#( Šthe€type€involved,€and€whether€the€client€or€other€person€isŠ  )[$) Šindependently€represented€by€other€counsel€in€giving€the€consent.€Š ī)>%* ŠNormally,€such€persons€need€less€information€and€explanation€thanŠ Ń*!&+ Šothers,€and€generally€a€client€or€other€person€who€isŠ “+', Šindependently€represented€by€other€counsel€in€giving€the€consentŠ —,ē'- Šshould€be€assumed€to€have€given€informed€consent.Š z-Ź(. Їą  ą[7]€Obtaining€informed€consent€will€usually€require€anŠ ° Šaffirmative€response€by€the€client€or€other€person.€€In€general,Š “ć Ša€lawyer€may€not€assume€consent€from€a€clientššs€or€other€personššsŠ vĘ Šsilence.€€Consent€may€be€inferred,€however,€from€the€conduct€ofŠ Y© Šthe€client€or€other€person€who€has€reasonably€adequateŠ <Œ Šinformation€about€the€matter.€€A€number€of€Rules€require€that€aŠ  o Špersonššs€consent€be€confirmed€in€writing.€€See€Rules€1.7(b)€andŠ  R Š1.9(a).€€For€a€definition€of€š šwritingšš€and€š šconfirmed€inŠ å 5 Šwriting,šš€see€paragraphs€(p)€and€(b).€€Other€Rules€require€that€aŠ Č  Šclientššs€consent€be€obtained€in€a€writing€signed€by€the€client.€Š « ū  ŠSee,€e.g.,€Rules€1.5(c)€and€1.8(a).€€For€a€definition€ofŠ Ž Ž  Šš šsigned,šš€see€paragraph€(p).Š qĮ  ŠĢņņScreenedóóŠ 7‡  ŠĢą  ą[8]€This€definition€applies€to€situations€where€screening€ofŠ żM  Ša€personally€disqualified€lawyer€is€permitted€to€removeŠ ą0 Šimputation€of€a€conflict€of€interest€under€Rules€1.10,€1.11,€1.12Š Ć Šor€1.18.Š ¦ö ŠĢą  ą[9]€The€purpose€of€screening€is€to€assure€the€affectedŠ l¼ Šparties€that€confidential€information€known€by€the€personallyŠ OŸ Šdisqualified€lawyer€remains€protected.€€The€personallyŠ 2‚ Šdisqualified€lawyer€should€acknowledge€the€obligation€not€toŠ e Šcommunicate€with€any€of€the€other€lawyers€in€the€firm€withŠ ųH Šrespect€to€the€matter.€€Similarly,€other€lawyers€in€the€firm€whoŠ Ū+ Šare€working€on€the€matter€should€be€informed€that€the€screeningŠ ¾ Šis€in€place€and€that€they€may€not€communicate€with€the€personallyŠ ”ń Šdisqualified€lawyer€with€respect€to€the€matter.€€AdditionalŠ „Ō Šscreening€measures€that€are€appropriate€for€the€particular€matterŠ g· Šwill€depend€on€the€circumstances.€€To€implement,€reinforce€andŠ Jš Šremind€all€affected€lawyers€of€the€presence€of€the€screening,€itŠ - } Šmay€be€appropriate€for€the€firm€to€undertake€such€procedures€as€aŠ !`  Šwritten€undertaking€by€the€screened€lawyer€to€avoid€anyŠ ó!C! Šcommunication€with€other€firm€personnel€and€any€contact€with€anyŠ Ö"&" Šfirm€files€or€other€materials€relating€to€the€matter,€writtenŠ ¹# # Šnotice€and€instructions€to€all€other€firm€personnel€forbiddingŠ œ$ģ$ Šany€communication€with€the€screened€lawyer€relating€to€theŠ %Ļ % Šmatter,€denial€of€access€by€the€screened€lawyer€to€firm€files€orŠ b&²!& Šother€materials€relating€to€the€matter€and€periodic€reminders€ofŠ E'•"' Šthe€screen€to€the€screened€lawyer€and€all€other€firm€personnel.Š ((x#( ŠĢą  ą[10]€In€order€to€be€effective,€screening€measures€must€beŠ ī)>%* Šimplemented€as€soon€as€practical€after€a€lawyer€or€law€firm€knowsŠ Ń*!&+ Šor€reasonably€should€know€that€there€is€a€need€for€screening.Š “+', ŠĢŠ  z-Ź(. Šą  ąņ ņModel€Rules€Comparison.„ó ó€Rule€1.0€is€substantially€similarŠ ° Što€the€language€of€the€Ethics€2000€Amendments€to€the€ABA€ModelŠ “ć ŠRules€of€Professional€Conduct€except€for€the€retention€of€theŠ vĘ Šdefinition€of€š šconsultšš€and€š šconsultation,šš€the€addition€of€aŠ Y© Šcross€reference€to€š šlaw€firm,šš€and€the€appropriate€redesignationŠ <Œ Šof€subsections.Š  o ŠŠ   R Šą@˜ ˜ ģąņ ņCLIENT„LAWYER€RELATIONSHIP.ó óˆŠ ° ŠĢĢņ ņRule€1.1.€€Competence.ó óŠ Y© ŠĢą  ąA€lawyer€shall€provide€competent€representation€to€a€client.€Š  o ŠCompetent€representation€requires€the€legal€knowledge,€skill,Š  R Šthoroughness€and€preparation€reasonably€necessary€for€theŠ å 5 Šrepresentation.Š Č  ŠĢą@HH'ģąņ ņCOMMENTó óˆŠ Ž Ž  ŠĢņņLegal€Knowledge€and€SkillóóŠ T¤  ŠĢą  ą[1]€In€determining€whether€a€lawyer€employs€the€requisiteŠ j  Šknowledge€and€skill€in€a€particular€matter,€relevant€factorsŠ żM  Šinclude€the€relative€complexity€and€specialized€nature€of€theŠ ą0 Šmatter,€the€lawyer's€general€experience,€the€lawyer's€trainingŠ Ć Šand€experience€in€the€field€in€question,€the€preparation€andŠ ¦ö Šstudy€the€lawyer€is€able€to€give€the€matter€and€whether€it€isŠ ‰Ł Šfeasible€to€refer€the€matter€to,€or€associate€or€consult€with,€aŠ l¼ Šlawyer€of€established€competence€in€the€field€in€question.€€InŠ OŸ Šmany€instances,€the€required€proficiency€is€that€of€a€generalŠ 2‚ Špractitioner.€€Expertise€in€a€particular€field€of€law€may€beŠ e Šrequired€in€some€circumstances.Š ųH ŠĢą  ą[2]€A€lawyer€need€not€necessarily€have€special€training€orŠ ¾ Šprior€experience€to€handle€legal€problems€of€a€type€with€whichŠ ”ń Šthe€lawyer€is€unfamiliar.€€A€newly€admitted€lawyer€can€be€asŠ „Ō Šcompetent€as€a€practitioner€with€long€experience.€Some€importantŠ g· Šlegal€skills,€such€as€the€analysis€of€precedent,€the€evaluationŠ Jš Šof€evidence€and€legal€drafting,€are€required€in€all€legalŠ - } Šproblems.€€Perhaps€the€most€fundamental€legal€skill€consists€ofŠ !`  Šdetermining€what€kind€of€legal€problems€a€situation€may€involve,Š ó!C! Ša€skill€that€necessarily€transcends€any€particular€specializedŠ Ö"&" Šknowledge.€€A€lawyer€can€provide€adequate€representation€in€aŠ ¹# # Šwholly€novel€field€through€necessary€study.€Ō% ‡( ŌŌ%†(r×Ō€CompetentŠ œ$ģ$ Šrepresentation€can€also€be€provided€through€the€association€of€aŠ %Ļ % Šlawyer€of€established€competence€in€the€field€in€question.Š b&²!& ŠĢą  ą[3]€In€an€emergency€a€lawyer€may€give€advice€or€assistanceŠ ((x#( Šin€a€matter€in€which€the€lawyer€does€not€have€the€skillŠ  )[$) Šordinarily€required€where€referral€to€or€consultation€orŠ ī)>%* Šassociation€with€another€lawyer€would€be€impractical.€€Even€in€anŠ Ń*!&+ Šemergency,€however,€assistance€should€be€limited€to€thatŠ “+', Šreasonably€necessary€in€the€circumstances,€for€ill„consideredŠ —,ē'- Šaction€under€emergency€conditions€can€jeopardize€the€client'sŠ z-Ź(. Šinterest.Š ° ŠĢą  ą[4]€A€lawyer€may€accept€representation€where€the€requisiteŠ vĘ Šlevel€of€competence€can€be€achieved€by€reasonable€preparation.€Š Y© ŠThis€applies€as€well€to€a€lawyer€who€is€appointed€as€counsel€forŠ <Œ Šan€unrepresented€person.€€See€also€Rule€6.2.Š  o ŠĢņņThoroughness€and€PreparationóóŠ å 5 ŠĢą  ą[5]€Competent€handling€of€a€particular€matter€includesŠ « ū  Šinquiry€into€and€analysis€of€the€factual€and€legal€elements€ofŠ Ž Ž  Šthe€problem,€and€use€of€methods€and€procedures€meeting€theŠ qĮ  Šstandards€of€competent€practitioners.€€It€also€includes€adequateŠ T¤  Špreparation.€€The€required€attention€and€preparation€areŠ 7‡  Šdetermined€in€part€by€what€is€at€stake;€major€litigation€andŠ j  Šcomplex€transactions€ordinarily€require€more€extensive€treatmentŠ żM  Šthan€matters€of€lesser€complexity.€€An€agreement€between€theŠ ą0 Šlawyer€and€the€client€regarding€the€scope€of€the€representationŠ Ć Šmay€limit€the€matters€for€which€the€lawyer€is€responsible.€€SeeŠ ¦ö ŠRule€1.2(c).Š ‰Ł ŠŌ% ‡) ŌŌ%†)‡ßŌĢņņMaintaining€CompetenceóóŠ OŸ ŠĢą  ą[6]€To€maintain€the€requisite€knowledge€and€skill,€a€lawyerŠ e Šshould€keep€abreast€of€changes€in€the€law€and€its€practice,Š ųH Šengage€in€continuing€study€and€education€and€comply€with€allŠ Ū+ Šcontinuing€legal€education€requirements€to€which€the€lawyer€isŠ ¾ Šsubject.Š ”ń ŠĢą  ąņ ņModel€Rules€Comparison.„ó ó€Rule€1.1€is€substantially€similarŠ g· Što€the€language€of€the€Ethics€2000€Amendments€to€the€ABA€ModelŠ Jš ŠRules€of€Professional€Conduct.Š - } ŠĢŠ  ó!C! Šņ ņRule€1.2.€€Scope€of€Representation€and€Allocation€of€AuthorityŠ ° ŠBetween€Client€and€Lawyer.ó óŠ “ć ŠĢą  ą(a)€Subject€to€paragraphs€(c)€and€(d),€a€lawyer€shall€abideŠ Y© Šby€a€client's€decisions€concerning€the€objectives€of€theŠ <Œ Šrepresentation€and,€when€appropriate,€shall€consult€with€theŠ  o Šclient€as€to€the€means€by€which€they€are€to€be€pursued.€€A€lawyerŠ  R Šmay€take€such€action€on€behalf€of€the€client€as€is€impliedlyŠ å 5 Šauthorized€to€carry€out€the€representation.€€A€lawyer€shall€abideŠ Č  Šby€a€client's€decision€whether€to€settle€a€matter.€€In€a€criminalŠ « ū  Šcase,€the€lawyer€shall€abide€by€the€client's€decision,€afterŠ Ž Ž  Šconsultation€with€the€lawyer,€as€to€a€plea€to€be€entered,€whetherŠ qĮ  Što€waive€jury€trial€and€whether€the€client€will€testify.Š T¤  ŠĢ€€ą  ą(b)€A€lawyer's€representation€of€a€client,€includingŠ j  Šrepresentation€by€appointment,€does€not€constitute€an€endorsementŠ żM  Šof€the€client's€political,€economic,€social€or€moral€views€orŠ ą0 Šactivities.Š Ć ŠĢą  ą(c)€A€lawyer€may€limit€the€scope€of€the€representation€ifŠ ‰Ł Šthe€limitation€is€reasonable€under€the€circumstances€and€theŠ l¼ Šclient€gives€informed€consent.Š OŸ ŠĢą  ą(d)€A€lawyer€shall€not€counsel€a€client€to€engage,€or€assistŠ e Ša€client,€in€conduct€that€the€lawyer€knows€is€criminal€orŠ ųH Šfraudulent,€but€a€lawyer€may€discuss€the€legal€consequences€ofŠ Ū+ Šany€proposed€course€of€conduct€with€a€client€and€may€counsel€orŠ ¾ Šassist€a€client€to€make€a€good€faith€effort€to€determine€theŠ ”ń Švalidity,€scope,€meaning€or€application€of€the€law.Š „Ō Š€€ą  ąŠ g· Šą@HH'ģąņ ņCOMMENTó óˆŠ Jš ŠĢņņScope€of€RepresentationóóŠ !`  ŠĢą  ą[1]€Both€lawyer€and€client€have€authority€and€responsibilityŠ Ö"&" Šin€the€objectives€Ō% ‡+ ŌŌ%†+ōźŌand€means€of€representation.€€The€client€hasŠ ¹# # Šultimate€authority€to€determine€the€purposes€to€be€served€byŠ œ$ģ$ Šlegal€representation,€within€the€limits€imposed€by€law€and€theŠ %Ļ % Šlawyer's€professional€obligations.€€Within€those€limits,€a€clientŠ b&²!& Šalso€has€a€right€to€consult€with€the€lawyer€about€the€means€to€beŠ E'•"' Šused€in€pursuing€those€objectives.€€At€the€same€time,€a€lawyer€isŠ ((x#( Šnot€required€to€pursue€objectives€or€employ€means€simply€becauseŠ  )[$) Ša€client€may€wish€that€the€lawyer€do€so.€€A€clear€distinctionŠ ī)>%* Šbetween€objectives€and€means€sometimes€cannot€be€drawn,€and€inŠ Ń*!&+ Šmany€cases€the€client„lawyer€relationship€partakes€of€a€jointŠ “+', Šundertaking.€€In€questions€of€means,€the€lawyer€should€assumeŠ —,ē'- Šresponsibility€for€technical€and€legal€tactical€issues,€butŠ z-Ź(. Šshould€defer€to€the€client€regarding€such€questions€as€theŠ ° Šexpense€to€be€incurred€and€concern€for€third€persons€who€might€beŠ “ć Šadversely€affected.Š vĘ ŠĢą  ą[2]€On€occasion,€however,€a€lawyer€and€a€client€may€disagreeŠ <Œ Šabout€the€means€to€be€used€to€accomplish€the€clientššs€objectives.€Š  o ŠBecause€of€the€varied€nature€of€the€matters€about€which€a€lawyerŠ  R Šand€client€might€disagree€and€because€the€actions€in€question€mayŠ å 5 Šimplicate€the€interests€of€a€tribunal€or€other€persons,€this€RuleŠ Č  Šdoes€not€prescribe€how€such€disagreements€are€to€be€resolved.€Š « ū  ŠOther€law,€however,€may€be€applicable€and€should€be€consulted€byŠ Ž Ž  Šthe€lawyer.€€The€lawyer€should€also€consult€with€the€client€andŠ qĮ  Šseek€a€mutually€acceptable€resolution€of€the€disagreement.€€IfŠ T¤  Šsuch€efforts€are€unavailing€and€the€lawyer€has€a€fundamentalŠ 7‡  Šdisagreement€with€the€client,€the€lawyer€may€withdraw€from€theŠ j  Šrepresentation.€€See€Rule€1.16(b)(4).€€Conversely,€the€client€mayŠ żM  Šresolve€the€disagreement€by€discharging€the€lawyer.€€See€RuleŠ ą0 Š1.16(a)(3).Š Ć ŠĢą  ą[3]€At€the€outset€of€a€representation,€the€client€mayŠ ‰Ł Šauthorize€the€lawyer€to€take€specific€action€on€the€clientššsŠ l¼ Šbehalf€without€further€consultation.€€Absent€a€material€change€inŠ OŸ Šcircumstances€and€subject€to€Rule€1.4,€a€lawyer€may€rely€on€suchŠ 2‚ Šan€advance€authorization.€€The€client€may,€however,€revoke€suchŠ e Šauthority€at€any€time.Š ųH ŠĢą  ą[4]€In€a€case€in€which€the€client€appears€to€be€sufferingŠ ¾ Šdiminished€capacity,€the€lawyer's€duty€to€abide€by€the€client'sŠ ”ń Šdecisions€is€to€be€guided€by€reference€to€Rule€1.14.Š „Ō ŠĢņņIndependence€from€Client's€Views€or€ActivitiesóóŠ Jš ŠĢą  ą[5]€Legal€representation€should€not€be€denied€to€people€whoŠ !`  Šare€unable€to€afford€legal€services,€or€whose€cause€isŠ ó!C! Šcontroversial€or€the€subject€of€Ō% ‡, ŌŌ%†,ųŌpopular€disapproval.€€By€the€sameŠ Ö"&" Štoken,€representing€a€client€does€not€constitute€approval€of€theŠ ¹# # Šclient's€views€or€activities.Š œ$ģ$ ŠĢņņAgreements€Limiting€Scope€of€RepresentationóóŠ b&²!& ŠĢą  ą[6]€The€scope€of€services€to€be€provided€by€a€lawyer€may€beŠ ((x#( Šlimited€by€agreement€with€the€client€or€by€the€terms€under€whichŠ  )[$) Šthe€lawyer's€services€are€made€available€to€the€client.€€When€aŠ ī)>%* Šlawyer€has€been€retained€by€an€insurer€to€represent€an€insured,Š Ń*!&+ Šfor€example,€the€representation€may€be€limited€to€matters€relatedŠ “+', Što€the€insurance€coverage.€€A€limited€representation€may€beŠ —,ē'- Šappropriate€because€the€client€has€limited€objectives€for€theŠ z-Ź(. Šrepresentation.€€In€addition,€the€terms€upon€which€representationŠ ° Šis€undertaken€may€exclude€specific€means€that€might€otherwise€beŠ “ć Šused€to€accomplish€the€clientššs€objectives.€€Such€limitations€mayŠ vĘ Šexclude€actions€that€the€client€thinks€are€too€costly€or€that€theŠ Y© Šlawyer€regards€as€repugnant€or€imprudent.Š <Œ ŠĢą  ą[7]€Although€this€Rule€affords€the€lawyer€and€clientŠ  R Šsubstantial€latitude€to€limit€the€representation,€the€limitationŠ å 5 Šmust€be€reasonable€under€the€circumstances.€€If,€for€example,€aŠ Č  Šclientššs€objective€is€limited€to€securing€general€informationŠ « ū  Šabout€the€law€the€client€needs€in€order€to€handle€a€common€andŠ Ž Ž  Štypically€uncomplicated€legal€problem,€the€lawyer€and€client€mayŠ qĮ  Šagree€that€the€lawyerššs€services€will€be€limited€to€a€briefŠ T¤  Štelephone€consultation.€€Such€a€limitation,€however,€would€not€beŠ 7‡  Šreasonable€if€the€time€allotted€was€not€sufficient€to€yieldŠ j  Šadvice€upon€which€the€client€could€rely.€€Although€an€agreementŠ żM  Šfor€a€limited€representation€does€not€exempt€a€lawyer€from€theŠ ą0 Šduty€to€provide€competent€representation,€the€limitation€is€aŠ Ć Šfactor€to€be€considered€when€determining€the€legal€knowledge,Š ¦ö Šskill,€thoroughness€and€preparation€reasonably€necessary€for€theŠ ‰Ł Šrepresentation.€€See€Rule€1.1.Š l¼ ŠĢą  ą[8]€€All€agreements€concerning€a€lawyerššs€representation€ofŠ 2‚ Ša€client€must€accord€with€the€Maryland€Lawyersšš€Rules€ofŠ e ŠProfessional€Conduct€and€other€law.€€See,€e.g.,€Rule€1.1,€1.8€andŠ ųH Š5.6.Š Ū+ ŠĢņņCriminal,€Fraudulent€and€Prohibited€TransactionsóóŠ ”ń ŠĢą  ą[9]€Paragraph€(d)€prohibits€a€lawyer€from€knowinglyŠ g· Šcounseling€or€assisting€a€client€to€commit€a€crime€or€fraud.€Š Jš ŠThis€prohibition,€however,€does€not€preclude€the€lawyer€fromŠ - } Šgiving€an€honest€opinion€about€the€actual€consequences€thatŠ !`  Šappear€likely€to€result€from€a€client's€conduct.€€The€fact€that€aŠ ó!C! Šclient€uses€advice€in€a€course€of€action€that€is€criminal€orŠ Ö"&" Šfraudulent€does€not,€of€itself,€make€a€lawyer€a€party€to€theŠ ¹# # Šcourse€of€action.€€There€is€a€critical€distinction€betweenŠ œ$ģ$ Špresenting€an€analysis€of€legal€aspects€of€questionable€conductŠ %Ļ % Šand€recommending€the€means€by€which€a€crime€or€fraud€might€beŠ b&²!& Šcommitted€with€impunity.Š E'•"' ŠĢą  ą[10]€When€the€client's€course€of€action€has€already€begunŠ  )[$) Šand€is€continuing,€the€lawyer's€responsibility€is€especiallyŠ ī)>%* Šdelicate.€€The€lawyer€is€required€to€avoid€assisting€the€client,Š Ń*!&+ Šfor€example,€by€drafting€or€delivering€documents€that€the€lawyerŠ “+', Šknows€are€fraudulent€or€by€suggesting€how€the€wrongdoing€might€beŠ —,ē'- Šconcealed.€€A€lawyer€may€not€continue€assisting€a€client€inŠ z-Ź(. Šconduct€that€the€lawyer€originally€supposed€was€legally€properŠ ° Šbut€then€discovers€is€criminal€or€fraudulent.€€The€lawyer€must,Š “ć Štherefore,€withdraw€from€the€representation€of€the€client€in€theŠ vĘ Šmatter.€€See€Rule€1.16(a).€€In€some€cases€withdrawal€alone€mightŠ Y© Šbe€insufficient.€€It€may€be€necessary€for€the€lawyer€to€giveŠ <Œ Šnotice€of€the€fact€of€withdrawal€and€to€disaffirm€any€opinion,Š  o Šdocument,€affirmation€or€the€like.€€See€Rules€1.6,€4.1.Š  R ŠĢą  ą[11]€Where€the€client€is€a€fiduciary,€the€lawyer€may€beŠ Č  Šcharged€with€special€obligations€in€dealings€with€a€beneficiary.Š « ū  ŠĢą  ą[12]€Paragraph€(d)€applies€whether€or€not€the€defraudedŠ qĮ  Šparty€is€a€party€to€the€transaction.€€Hence,€a€lawyer€must€notŠ T¤  Šparticipate€in€a€transaction€to€effectuate€criminal€or€fraudulentŠ 7‡  Šavoidance€of€tax€liability.€€Paragraph€(d)€does€not€precludeŠ j  Šundertaking€a€criminal€defense€incident€to€a€general€retainer€forŠ żM  Šlegal€services€to€a€lawful€enterprise.€The€last€clause€ofŠ ą0 Šparagraph€(d)€recognizes€that€determining€the€validity€orŠ Ć Šinterpretation€of€a€statute€or€regulation€may€require€a€course€ofŠ ¦ö Šaction€involving€disobedience€of€the€statute€or€regulation€or€ofŠ ‰Ł Šthe€interpretation€placed€upon€it€by€governmental€authorities.Š l¼ ŠĢą  ą[13]€If€a€lawyer€comes€to€know€or€reasonably€should€knowŠ 2‚ Šthat€a€client€expects€assistance€not€permitted€by€the€MarylandŠ e ŠLawyersšš€Rules€of€Professional€Conduct€or€other€law€or€if€theŠ ųH Šlawyer€intends€to€act€contrary€to€the€clientššs€instructions,€theŠ Ū+ Šlawyer€must€consult€with€the€client€regarding€the€limitations€onŠ ¾ Šthe€lawyerššs€conduct.€€See€Rule€1.4(a)(4).Š ”ń ŠĢą  ąņ ņModel€Rules€Comparison.„ó ó€Rule€1.2€is€substantially€similarŠ g· Što€the€language€of€the€Ethics€2000€Amendments€to€the€ABA€ModelŠ Jš ŠRules€of€Professional€Conduct€except€for€wording€changes€in€RuleŠ - } Š1.2(a)€and€the€retention€of€existing€Maryland€language€in€CommentŠ !`  Š[1].Š  ó!C! Šņ ņRule€1.3.€€Diligence.ó óŠ ° ŠĢą  ąA€lawyer€shall€act€with€reasonable€diligence€and€promptnessŠ vĘ Šin€representing€a€client.Š Y© ŠĢą@HH'ģąņ ņCOMMENTó óˆŠ  o ŠĢą  ą[1]€A€lawyer€should€pursue€a€matter€on€behalf€of€a€clientŠ å 5 Šdespite€opposition,€obstruction€or€personal€inconvenience€to€theŠ Č  Šlawyer,€and€may€take€whatever€lawful€and€ethical€measures€areŠ « ū  Šrequired€to€vindicate€a€client's€cause€or€endeavor.€€A€lawyerŠ Ž Ž  Šmust€also€act€with€commitment€and€dedication€to€the€interests€ofŠ qĮ  Šthe€client€and€with€zeal€in€advocacy€upon€the€client's€behalf.€€AŠ T¤  Šlawyer€is€not€bound,€however,€to€press€for€every€advantage€thatŠ 7‡  Šmight€be€realized€for€a€client.€€For€example,€a€lawyer€may€haveŠ j  Šauthority€to€exercise€professional€discretion€in€determining€theŠ żM  Šmeans€by€which€a€matter€should€be€pursued.€€See€Rule€1.2.€€TheŠ ą0 Šlawyerššs€duty€to€act€with€reasonable€diligence€does€not€requireŠ Ć Šthe€use€of€offensive€tactics€or€permit€treating€any€personŠ ¦ö Šinvolved€in€the€legal€process€without€courtesy€and€respect.Š ‰Ł ŠĢą  ą[2]€A€lawyer's€workload€must€be€controlled€so€that€eachŠ OŸ Šmatter€can€be€handled€competently.Š 2‚ ŠĢą  ą[3]€Perhaps€no€professional€shortcoming€is€more€widelyŠ ųH Šresented€than€procrastination.€€A€client's€interests€often€can€beŠ Ū+ Šadversely€affected€by€the€passage€of€time€or€the€change€ofŠ ¾ Šconditions;€in€extreme€instances,€as€when€a€lawyer€overlooks€aŠ ”ń Šstatute€of€limitations,€the€client's€legal€position€may€beŠ „Ō Šdestroyed.€€Even€when€the€client's€interests€are€not€affected€inŠ g· Šsubstance,€however,€unreasonable€delay€can€cause€a€clientŠ Jš Šneedless€anxiety€and€undermine€confidence€in€the€lawyer'sŠ - } Štrustworthiness.€€A€lawyerššs€duty€to€act€with€reasonableŠ !`  Špromptness,€however,€does€not€preclude€the€lawyer€from€agreeingŠ ó!C! Što€a€reasonable€request€for€a€postponement€that€will€notŠ Ö"&" Šprejudice€the€lawyerššs€client.Š ¹# # ŠĢą  ą[4]€Unless€the€relationship€is€terminated€as€provided€inŠ %Ļ % ŠRule€1.16,€a€lawyer€should€carry€through€to€conclusion€allŠ b&²!& Šmatters€undertaken€for€a€client.€€If€a€lawyer's€employment€isŠ E'•"' Šlimited€to€a€specific€matter,€the€relationship€terminates€whenŠ ((x#( Šthe€matter€has€been€resolved.€€If€a€lawyer€has€served€a€clientŠ  )[$) Šover€a€substantial€period€in€a€variety€of€matters,€the€clientŠ ī)>%* Šsometimes€may€assume€that€the€lawyer€will€continue€to€serve€on€aŠ Ń*!&+ Šcontinuing€basis€unless€the€lawyer€gives€notice€of€withdrawal.€Š “+', ŠDoubt€about€whether€a€client„lawyer€relationship€still€existsŠ —,ē'- Šshould€be€clarified€by€the€lawyer,€preferably€in€writing,€so€thatŠ z-Ź(. Šthe€client€will€not€mistakenly€suppose€the€lawyer€is€lookingŠ ° Šafter€the€client's€affairs€when€the€lawyer€has€ceased€to€do€so.€Š “ć ŠFor€example,€if€a€lawyer€has€handled€a€judicial€or€administrativeŠ vĘ Šproceeding€that€produced€a€result€adverse€to€the€client€and€theŠ Y© Šlawyer€and€client€have€not€agreed€that€the€lawyer€will€handle€theŠ <Œ Šmatter€on€appeal,€the€lawyer€must€consult€with€the€client€aboutŠ  o Šthe€possibility€of€appeal€before€relinquishing€responsibility€forŠ  R Šthe€matter.€€See€Rule€1.4.€€Similarly,€the€lawyer€must€inform€theŠ å 5 Šclient€if,€following€a€result€favorable€to€the€client,€anotherŠ Č  Šparty€files€an€appeal.€€Whether€the€lawyer€is€obligated€toŠ « ū  Šprosecute€the€appeal€for€the€client€depends€on€the€scope€of€theŠ Ž Ž  Šrepresentation€the€lawyer€has€agreed€to€provide€to€the€client.€Š qĮ  ŠSee€Rule€1.2.Š T¤  ŠĢą  ą[5]€To€prevent€neglect€of€client€matters€in€the€event€of€aŠ j  Šsole€practitionerššs€death€or€disability,€the€duty€of€diligenceŠ żM  Šmay€require€that€each€sole€practitioner€prepare€a€plan,€inŠ ą0 Šconformity€with€applicable€rules,€that€designates€anotherŠ Ć Šcompetent€lawyer€to€review€client€files,€notify€each€client€ofŠ ¦ö Šthe€lawyerššs€death€or€disability,€and€determine€whether€there€isŠ ‰Ł Ša€need€for€immediate€protective€action.€€Cf.€Md.€Rule€16„777Š l¼ Š(providing€for€appointment€of€a€conservator€to€inventory€theŠ OŸ Šfiles€of€an€attorney€who€is€deceased€or€has€abandoned€theŠ 2‚ Špractice€of€law,€and€to€take€other€appropriate€action€to€protectŠ e Šthe€attorneyššs€clients€in€the€absence€of€a€plan€to€protectŠ ųH Šclientsšš€interests).€€Š Ū+ ŠĢą  ąņ ņModel€Rules€Comparison.„ó ó€Rule€1.3€is€substantially€similarŠ ”ń Što€the€language€of€the€Ethics€2000€Amendments€to€the€ABA€ModelŠ „Ō ŠRules€of€Professional€Conduct€except€for€Comment€[5],€whichŠ g· Šincorporates€Maryland€law.Š Jš ŠĢŠ  !`  Šņ ņRule€1.4.€€Communication.ó óŠ ° ŠĢą  ą(a)€A€lawyer€shall:Š vĘ ŠĢą  ąą ` ą(1)€promptly€inform€the€client€of€any€decision€orŠ <Œ Šcircumstance€with€respect€to€which€the€clientššs€informed€consent,Š  o Šas€defined€in€Rule€1.0(f),€is€required€by€these€Rules;Š  R ŠĢą  ąą ` ą(2)€keep€the€client€reasonably€informed€about€theŠ Č  Šstatus€of€the€matter;Š « ū  ŠĢą  ąą ` ą(3)€promptly€comply€with€reasonable€requests€forŠ qĮ  Šinformation;€andŠ T¤  ŠĢą  ąą ` ą(4)€consult€with€the€client€about€any€relevantŠ j  Šlimitation€on€the€lawyerššs€conduct€when€the€lawyer€knows€that€theŠ żM  Šclient€expects€assistance€not€permitted€by€the€Maryland€LawyersššŠ ą0 ŠRules€of€Professional€Conduct€or€other€law.Š Ć ŠĢą  ą(b)€A€lawyer€shall€explain€a€matter€to€the€extent€reasonablyŠ ‰Ł Šnecessary€to€permit€the€client€to€make€informed€decisionsŠ l¼ Šregarding€the€representation.Š OŸ ŠĢą@HH'ģąņ ņCOMMENTó óˆŠ e ŠĢą  ą[1]€Reasonable€communication€between€the€lawyer€and€theŠ Ū+ Šclient€is€necessary€for€the€client€effectively€to€participate€inŠ ¾ Šthe€representation.Š ”ń ŠĢņņCommunicating€with€ClientóóŠ g· ŠĢą  ą[2]€If€these€Rules€require€that€a€particular€decision€aboutŠ - } Šthe€representation€be€made€by€the€client,€paragraph€(a)(1)Š !`  Šrequires€that€the€lawyer€promptly€consult€with€and€secure€theŠ ó!C! Šclientššs€consent€prior€to€taking€action€unless€prior€discussionsŠ Ö"&" Šwith€the€client€have€resolved€what€action€the€client€wants€theŠ ¹# # Šlawyer€to€take.€€For€example,€a€lawyer€who€receives€from€opposingŠ œ$ģ$ Šcounsel€an€offer€of€settlement€in€a€civil€controversy€or€aŠ %Ļ % Šproffered€plea€bargain€in€a€criminal€case€must€promptly€informŠ b&²!& Šthe€client€of€its€substance€unless€the€client€has€previouslyŠ E'•"' Šindicated€that€the€proposal€will€be€acceptable€or€unacceptable€orŠ ((x#( Šhas€authorized€the€lawyer€to€accept€or€to€reject€the€offer.€€SeeŠ  )[$) ŠRule€1.2(a).Š ī)>%* ŠĢą  ą[3]€Under€Rule€1.2(a),€a€lawyer€is€required,€whenŠ “+', Šappropriate,€to€consult€with€the€client€about€the€means€to€beŠ —,ē'- Šused€to€accomplish€the€clientššs€objectives.€€In€some€situations€š!šŠ z-Ź(. Šdepending€on€both€the€importance€of€the€action€underŠ ° Šconsideration€and€the€feasibility€of€consulting€with€the€client€š!šŠ “ć Šthis€duty€will€require€consultation€prior€to€taking€action.€€InŠ vĘ Šother€circumstances,€such€as€during€a€trial€when€an€immediateŠ Y© Šdecision€must€be€made,€the€exigency€of€the€situation€may€requireŠ <Œ Šthe€lawyer€to€act€without€prior€consultation.€€In€such€cases€theŠ  o Šlawyer€must€nonetheless€act€reasonably€to€inform€the€client€ofŠ  R Šactions€the€lawyer€has€taken€on€the€clientššs€behalf.€Š å 5 ŠAdditionally,€paragraph€(a)(2)€requires€that€the€lawyer€keep€theŠ Č  Šclient€reasonably€informed€about€the€status€of€the€matter,€suchŠ « ū  Šas€significant€developments€affecting€the€timing€or€the€substanceŠ Ž Ž  Šof€the€representation.Š qĮ  ŠĢą  ą[4]€A€lawyerššs€regular€communication€with€clients€willŠ 7‡  Šminimize€the€occasions€on€which€a€client€will€need€to€requestŠ j  Šinformation€concerning€the€representation.€€When€a€client€makes€aŠ żM  Šreasonable€request€for€information,€however,€paragraph€(a)(3)Š ą0 Šrequires€prompt€compliance€with€the€request,€or€if€a€promptŠ Ć Šresponse€is€not€feasible,€that€the€lawyer,€or€a€member€of€theŠ ¦ö Šlawyerššs€staff,€acknowledge€receipt€of€the€request€and€advise€theŠ ‰Ł Šclient€when€a€response€may€be€expected.€€Client€telephone€callsŠ l¼ Šshould€be€promptly€returned€or€acknowledged.€Š OŸ ŠĢņņExplaining€MattersóóŠ e ŠĢą  ą[5]€The€client€should€have€sufficient€information€toŠ Ū+ Šparticipate€intelligently€in€decisions€concerning€the€objectivesŠ ¾ Šof€the€representation€and€the€means€by€which€they€are€to€beŠ ”ń Špursued,€to€the€extent€the€client€is€willing€and€able€to€do€so.€€Š „Ō ŠAdequacy€of€communication€depends€in€part€on€the€kind€of€adviceŠ g· Šor€assistance€that€is€involved.€€For€example,€where€there€is€timeŠ Jš Što€explain€a€proposal€made€in€a€negotiation,€the€lawyer€shouldŠ - } Šreview€all€important€provisions€with€the€client€before€proceedingŠ !`  Što€an€agreement.€€In€litigation€a€lawyer€should€explain€theŠ ó!C! Šgeneral€strategy€and€prospects€of€success€and€ordinarily€shouldŠ Ö"&" Šconsult€the€client€on€tactics€that€are€likely€to€result€inŠ ¹# # Šsignificant€expense€or€to€injure€or€coerce€others.€€On€the€otherŠ œ$ģ$ Šhand,€a€lawyer€ordinarily€will€not€be€expected€to€describe€trialŠ %Ļ % Šor€negotiation€strategy€in€detail.€€The€guiding€principle€is€thatŠ b&²!& Šthe€lawyer€should€fulfill€reasonable€client€expectations€forŠ E'•"' Šinformation€consistent€with€the€duty€to€act€in€the€client's€bestŠ ((x#( Šinterests,€and€the€client's€overall€requirements€as€to€theŠ  )[$) Šcharacter€of€representation.€€In€certain€circumstances,€such€asŠ ī)>%* Šwhen€a€lawyer€asks€a€client€to€consent€to€a€representationŠ Ń*!&+ Šaffected€by€a€conflict€of€interest,€the€client€must€give€informedŠ “+', Šconsent,€as€defined€in€Rule€1.0(f).Š —,ē'- ŠŠ z-Ź(. Šą  ą[6]€Ordinarily,€the€information€to€be€provided€is€thatŠ ° Šappropriate€for€a€client€who€is€a€comprehending€and€responsibleŠ “ć Šadult.€€However,€fully€informing€the€client€according€to€thisŠ vĘ Šstandard€may€be€impracticable,€for€example,€where€the€client€is€aŠ Y© Šchild€or€suffers€from€diminished€capacity.€€See€Rule€1.14.€€WhenŠ <Œ Šthe€client€is€an€organization€or€group,€it€is€often€impossible€orŠ  o Šinappropriate€to€inform€every€one€of€its€members€about€its€legalŠ  R Šaffairs;€ordinarily,€the€lawyer€should€address€communications€toŠ å 5 Šthe€appropriate€officials€of€the€organization.€€See€Rule€1.13.€Š Č  ŠWhere€many€routine€matters€are€involved,€a€system€of€limited€orŠ « ū  Šoccasional€reporting€may€be€arranged€with€the€client.€€Š Ž Ž  ŠĢņņWithholding€InformationóóŠ T¤  ŠĢą  ą[7]€In€some€circumstances,€a€lawyer€may€be€justified€inŠ j  Šdelaying€transmission€of€information€when€the€client€would€beŠ żM  Šlikely€to€react€imprudently€to€an€immediate€communication.€€Thus,Š ą0 Ša€lawyer€might€withhold€a€psychiatric€diagnosis€of€a€client€whenŠ Ć Šthe€examining€psychiatrist€indicates€that€disclosure€would€harmŠ ¦ö Šthe€client.€€A€lawyer€may€not€withhold€information€to€serve€theŠ ‰Ł Šlawyer's€own€interest€or€convenience€or€the€interests€orŠ l¼ Šconvenience€of€another€person.€€Rules€or€court€orders€governingŠ OŸ Šlitigation€may€provide€that€information€supplied€to€a€lawyer€mayŠ 2‚ Šnot€be€disclosed€to€the€client.€€Rule€3.4(c)€directs€complianceŠ e Šwith€such€rules€or€orders.Š ųH ŠĢą  ąņ ņModel€Rules€Comparison.„ó ó€Rule€1.4€is€substantially€similarŠ ¾ Što€the€language€of€the€Ethics€2000€Amendments€to€the€ABA€ModelŠ ”ń ŠRules€of€Professional€Conduct€except€for€the€deletion€of€ModelŠ „Ō ŠRule€1.4(a)(2)€and€the€redesignation€of€subsections€asŠ g· Šappropriate,€and€wording€changes€to€Comment€[3].Š  Jš Šņ ņRule€1.5.€€Fees.ó óŠ ° ŠĢą  ą(a)€A€lawyer€shall€not€make€an€agreement€for,€charge,€orŠ vĘ Šcollect€an€unreasonable€fee€or€an€unreasonable€amount€forŠ Y© Šexpenses.€€The€factors€to€be€considered€in€determining€theŠ <Œ Šreasonableness€of€a€fee€include€the€following:Š  o ŠĢą  ąą ` ą(1)€the€time€and€labor€required,€the€novelty€andŠ å 5 Šdifficulty€of€the€questions€involved,€and€the€skill€requisite€toŠ Č  Šperform€the€legal€service€properly;Š « ū  ŠĢą  ąą ` ą(2)€the€likelihood,€if€apparent€to€the€client,€that€theŠ qĮ  Šacceptance€of€the€particular€employment€will€preclude€otherŠ T¤  Šemployment€of€the€lawyer;Š 7‡  ŠĢą  ąą ` ą(3)€the€fee€customarily€charged€in€the€locality€forŠ żM  Šsimilar€legal€services;Š ą0 ŠĢą  ąą ` ą(4)€the€amount€involved€and€the€results€obtained;Š ¦ö ŠĢą  ąą ` ą(5)€the€time€limitations€imposed€by€the€client€or€byŠ l¼ Šthe€circumstances;Š OŸ ŠĢą  ąą ` ą(6)€the€nature€and€length€of€the€professionalŠ e Šrelationship€with€the€client;Š ųH ŠĢą  ąą ` ą(7)€the€experience,€reputation,€and€ability€of€theŠ ¾ Šlawyer€or€lawyers€performing€the€services;€andŠ ”ń ŠĢą  ąą ` ą(8)€whether€the€fee€is€fixed€or€contingent.Š g· ŠĢą  ą(b)€The€scope€of€the€representation€and€the€basis€or€rate€ofŠ - } Šthe€fee€and€expenses€for€which€the€client€will€be€responsibleŠ !`  Šshall€be€communicated€to€the€client,€preferably€in€writing,Š ó!C! Šbefore€or€within€a€reasonable€time€after€commencing€theŠ Ö"&" Šrepresentation,€except€when€the€lawyer€will€charge€a€regularlyŠ ¹# # Šrepresented€client€on€the€same€basis€or€rate.€€Any€changes€in€theŠ œ$ģ$ Šbasis€or€rate€of€the€fee€or€expenses€shall€also€be€communicatedŠ %Ļ % Što€the€client.Š b&²!& ŠĢą  ą(c)€A€fee€may€be€contingent€on€the€outcome€of€the€matter€forŠ ((x#( Šwhich€the€service€is€rendered,€except€in€a€matter€in€which€aŠ  )[$) Šcontingent€fee€is€prohibited€by€paragraph€(d)€or€other€law.€€AŠ ī)>%* Šcontingent€fee€agreement€shall€be€in€a€writing€signed€by€theŠ Ń*!&+ Šclient€and€shall€state€the€method€by€which€the€fee€is€to€beŠ “+', Šdetermined,€including€the€percentage€or€percentages€that€shallŠ —,ē'- Šaccrue€to€the€lawyer€in€the€event€of€settlement,€trial€or€appeal;Š z-Ź(. Šlitigation€and€other€expenses€to€be€deducted€from€the€recovery;Š ° Šand€whether€such€expenses€are€to€be€deducted€before€or€after€theŠ “ć Šcontingent€fee€is€calculated.€€The€agreement€must€clearly€notifyŠ vĘ Šthe€client€of€any€expenses€for€which€the€client€will€beŠ Y© Šresponsible€whether€or€not€the€client€is€the€prevailing€party.€Š <Œ ŠUpon€conclusion€of€a€contingent€fee€matter,€the€lawyer€shallŠ  o Šprovide€the€client€with€a€written€statement€stating€the€outcomeŠ  R Šof€the€matter,€and,€if€there€is€a€recovery,€showing€theŠ å 5 Šremittance€to€the€client€and€the€method€of€its€determination.Š Č  ŠĢą  ą(d)€A€lawyer€shall€not€enter€into€an€arrangement€for,Š Ž Ž  Šcharge,€or€collect:Š qĮ  ŠĢą  ąą ` ą(1)€any€fee€in€a€domestic€relations€matter,€the€paymentŠ 7‡  Šor€amount€of€which€is€contingent€upon€the€securing€of€a€divorceŠ j  Šor€custody€of€a€child€or€upon€the€amount€of€alimony€or€support€orŠ żM  Šproperty€settlement,€or€upon€the€amount€of€an€award€pursuant€toŠ ą0 ŠMd.€Code,€Family€Law€Article,€šššš8„201€through€213;€orŠ Ć ŠĢą  ąą ` ą(2)€a€contingent€fee€for€representing€a€defendant€in€aŠ ‰Ł Šcriminal€case.Š l¼ ŠĢą  ą(e)€A€division€of€a€fee€between€lawyers€who€are€not€in€theŠ 2‚ Šsame€firm€may€be€made€only€if:Š e ŠĢą  ąą ` ą(1)€the€division€is€in€proportion€to€the€servicesŠ Ū+ Šperformed€by€each€lawyer€or€each€lawyer€assumes€jointŠ ¾ Šresponsibility€for€the€representation;Š ”ń ŠĢą  ąą ` ą(2)€the€client€agrees€to€the€joint€representation€andŠ g· Šthe€agreement€is€confirmed€in€writing;€andŠ Jš ŠĢą  ąą ` ą(3)€the€total€fee€is€reasonable.Š !`  ŠĢą@HH'ģąņ ņCOMMENTó óˆŠ Ö"&" ŠĢņņReasonableness€of€Fee€and€ExpensesóóŠ œ$ģ$ ŠĢą  ą[1]€Paragraph€(a)€requires€that€lawyers€charge€fees€that€areŠ b&²!& Šreasonable€under€the€circumstances.€€The€factors€specified€in€(1)Š E'•"' Šthrough€(8)€are€not€exclusive.€€Nor€will€each€factor€be€relevantŠ ((x#( Šin€each€instance.€€Paragraph€(a)€also€requires€that€expenses€forŠ  )[$) Šwhich€the€client€will€be€charged€must€be€reasonable.€€A€lawyerŠ ī)>%* Šmay€seek€reimbursement€for€the€cost€of€services€performed€in„Š Ń*!&+ Šhouse,€such€as€copying,€or€for€other€expenses€incurred€in„house,Š “+', Šsuch€as€telephone€charges,€either€by€charging€a€reasonable€amountŠ —,ē'- Što€which€the€client€has€agreed€in€advance€or€by€charging€anŠ z-Ź(. Šamount€that€reasonably€reflects€the€cost€incurred€by€the€lawyer.Š ° ŠĢņņBasis€or€Rate€of€FeeóóŠ vĘ ŠĢą  ą[2]€When€the€lawyer€has€regularly€represented€a€client,€theyŠ <Œ Šordinarily€will€have€evolved€an€understanding€concerning€theŠ  o Šbasis€or€rate€of€the€fee€and€the€expenses€for€which€the€clientŠ  R Šwill€be€responsible.€€In€a€new€client„lawyer€relationship,Š å 5 Šhowever,€an€understanding€as€to€fees€and€expenses€must€beŠ Č  Špromptly€established.€€Generally,€it€is€desirable€to€furnish€theŠ « ū  Šclient€with€at€least€a€simple€memorandum€or€copy€of€the€lawyerššsŠ Ž Ž  Šcustomary€fee€arrangements€that€states€the€general€nature€of€theŠ qĮ  Šlegal€services€to€be€provided,€the€basis,€rate,€or€total€amountŠ T¤  Šof€the€fee€and€whether€and€to€what€extent€the€client€will€beŠ 7‡  Šresponsible€for€any€costs,€expenses€or€disbursements€in€theŠ j  Šcourse€of€representation.€€A€written€statement€concerning€theŠ żM  Šterms€of€the€engagement€reduces€the€possibility€ofŠ ą0 Šmisunderstanding.Š Ć ŠĢą  ą[3]€Contingent€fees,€like€any€other€fees,€are€subject€to€theŠ ‰Ł Šreasonableness€standard€of€paragraph€(a)€of€this€Rule.€€InŠ l¼ Šdetermining€whether€a€particular€contingent€fee€is€reasonable,€orŠ OŸ Šwhether€it€is€reasonable€to€charge€any€form€of€contingent€fee,€aŠ 2‚ Šlawyer€must€consider€the€factors€that€are€relevant€under€theŠ e Šcircumstances.€€Applicable€law€may€impose€limitations€onŠ ųH Šcontingent€fees,€such€as€a€ceiling€on€the€percentage€allowable,Š Ū+ Šor€may€require€a€lawyer€to€offer€clients€an€alternative€basis€forŠ ¾ Šthe€fee.€€Applicable€law€may€also€apply€to€situations€other€thanŠ ”ń Ša€contingent€fee,€for€example,€government€regulations€regardingŠ „Ō Šfees€in€certain€tax€matters.Š g· ŠĢņņTerms€of€PaymentóóŠ - } ŠĢą  ą[4]€A€lawyer€may€require€advance€payment€of€a€fee,€but€isŠ ó!C! Šobliged€to€return€any€unearned€portion.€€See€Rule€1.15(c);Š Ö"&" ŠComment€[3]€to€Rule€1.15;€Rule€1.16(d).€€A€lawyer€may€acceptŠ ¹# # Šproperty€in€payment€for€services,€such€as€an€ownership€interestŠ œ$ģ$ Šin€an€enterprise,€providing€this€does€not€involve€acquisition€ofŠ %Ļ % Ša€proprietary€interest€in€the€cause€of€action€or€subject€matterŠ b&²!& Šof€the€litigation€contrary€to€Rule€1.8(i).€€However,€a€fee€paidŠ E'•"' Šin€property€instead€of€money€may€be€subject€to€the€requirementsŠ ((x#( Šof€Rule€1.8(a)€because€such€fees€often€have€the€essentialŠ  )[$) Šqualities€of€a€business€transaction€with€the€client.Š ī)>%* ŠĢą  ą[5]€An€agreement€may€not€be€made€whose€terms€might€induceŠ “+', Šthe€lawyer€improperly€to€curtail€services€for€the€client€orŠ —,ē'- Šperform€them€in€a€way€contrary€to€the€client's€interest.€€ForŠ z-Ź(. Šexample,€a€lawyer€should€not€enter€into€an€agreement€wherebyŠ ° Šservices€are€to€be€provided€only€up€to€a€stated€amount€when€it€isŠ “ć Šforeseeable€that€more€extensive€services€probably€will€beŠ vĘ Šrequired,€unless€the€situation€is€adequately€explained€to€theŠ Y© Šclient.€€Otherwise,€the€client€might€have€to€bargain€for€furtherŠ <Œ Šassistance€in€the€midst€of€a€proceeding€or€transaction.€€However,Š  o Šit€is€proper€to€define€the€extent€of€services€in€light€of€theŠ  R Šclient's€ability€to€pay.€€A€lawyer€should€not€exploit€a€feeŠ å 5 Šarrangement€based€primarily€on€hourly€charges€by€using€wastefulŠ Č  Šprocedures.Š « ū  ŠĢņņProhibited€Contingent€FeesóóŠ qĮ  ŠĢą  ą[6]€Paragraph€(d)€prohibits€a€lawyer€from€charging€aŠ 7‡  Šcontingent€fee€in€a€domestic€relations€matter€when€payment€isŠ j  Šcontingent€upon€the€securing€of€a€divorce€or€upon€the€amount€ofŠ żM  Šalimony€or€support€or€property€settlement€to€be€obtained.€€ThisŠ ą0 Šprovision€does€not€preclude€a€contract€for€a€contingent€fee€forŠ Ć Šlegal€representation€in€connection€with€the€recovery€of€post„Š ¦ö Šjudgment€balances€due€under€support,€alimony€or€other€financialŠ ‰Ł Šorders€because€such€contracts€do€not€implicate€the€same€policyŠ l¼ Šconcerns.Š OŸ ŠĢņņDivision€of€FeeóóŠ e ŠĢą  ą[7]€A€division€of€fee€is€a€single€billing€to€a€clientŠ Ū+ Šcovering€the€fee€of€two€or€more€lawyers€who€are€not€in€the€sameŠ ¾ Šfirm.€€A€division€of€fee€facilitates€association€of€more€than€oneŠ ”ń Šlawyer€in€a€matter€in€which€neither€alone€could€serve€the€clientŠ „Ō Šas€well,€and€most€often€is€used€when€the€fee€is€contingent€andŠ g· Šthe€division€is€between€a€referring€lawyer€and€a€trialŠ Jš Šspecialist.€€Paragraph€(e)€permits€the€lawyers€to€divide€a€fee€onŠ - } Šeither€the€basis€of€the€proportion€of€services€they€render€or€byŠ !`  Šagreement€between€the€participating€lawyers€if€all€assumeŠ ó!C! Šresponsibility€for€the€representation€as€a€whole€and€the€clientŠ Ö"&" Šagrees€to€the€joint€representation,€which€is€confirmed€inŠ ¹# # Šwriting.€€Contingent€fee€agreements€must€be€in€a€writing€signedŠ œ$ģ$ Šby€the€client€and€must€otherwise€comply€with€paragraph€(c)€ofŠ %Ļ % Šthis€Rule.€€Joint€responsibility€for€the€representation€entailsŠ b&²!& Šfinancial€and€ethical€responsibility€for€the€representation€as€ifŠ E'•"' Šthe€lawyers€were€associated€in€a€partnership.€€A€lawyer€shouldŠ ((x#( Šonly€refer€a€matter€to€a€lawyer€whom€the€referring€lawyerŠ  )[$) Šreasonably€believes€is€competent€to€handle€the€matter.€€See€RuleŠ ī)>%* Š1.1.Š Ń*!&+ ŠĢą  ą[8]€Paragraph€(e)€does€not€prohibit€or€regulate€division€ofŠ —,ē'- Šfees€to€be€received€in€the€future€for€work€done€when€lawyers€wereŠ z-Ź(. Špreviously€associated€in€a€law€firm.Š ° ŠĢņņDisputes€over€FeesóóŠ vĘ ŠĢą  ą[9]€If€a€procedure€has€been€established€for€resolution€ofŠ <Œ Šfee€disputes,€such€as€an€arbitration€or€mediation€procedureŠ  o Šestablished€by€the€bar,€the€lawyer€must€comply€with€the€procedureŠ  R Šwhen€it€is€mandatory,€and€even€when€it€is€voluntary,€the€lawyerŠ å 5 Šshould€conscientiously€consider€submitting€to€it.€€Law€mayŠ Č  Šprescribe€a€procedure€for€determining€a€lawyer's€fee,€forŠ « ū  Šexample,€in€representation€of€an€executor€or€administrator,€aŠ Ž Ž  Šclass€or€a€person€entitled€to€a€reasonable€fee€as€part€of€theŠ qĮ  Šmeasure€of€damages.€€The€lawyer€entitled€to€such€a€fee€and€aŠ T¤  Šlawyer€representing€another€party€concerned€with€the€fee€shouldŠ 7‡  Šcomply€with€the€prescribed€procedure.Š j  ŠĢņ ņCross€reference:ó ó€€See€ņņPost€v.€Bregmanóó,€349€Md.€142€(1998)€and€ņņSonŠ ą0 Šv.€Margoliusóó,€349€Md.€441€(1998).Š Ć ŠŃ  ŃĢą  ąņ ņModel€Rules€Comparison.„ó ó€Rule€1.5€is€substantially€similarŠ ‰Ł Što€the€language€of€the€Ethics€2000€Amendments€to€the€ABA€ModelŠ l¼ ŠRules€of€Professional€Conduct€except€that€it€retains€existingŠ OŸ ŠMaryland€language€in€Rule€1.5(d)(1)€and€adds€wording€changes€toŠ 2‚ ŠRule€1.5(e)(2)€and€Comment€[7].Š e ŠĢŠ  Ū+ Šņ ņRule€1.6.€€Confidentiality€of€Information.ó óŠ ° ŠĢą  ą(a)€A€lawyer€shall€not€reveal€information€relating€toŠ vĘ Šrepresentation€of€a€client€unless€the€client€gives€informedŠ Y© Šconsent,€the€disclosure€is€impliedly€authorized€in€order€to€carryŠ <Œ Šout€the€representation,€or€the€disclosure€is€permitted€byŠ  o Šparagraph€(b).Š  R ŠĢą  ą(b)€A€lawyer€may€reveal€information€relating€to€theŠ Č  Šrepresentation€of€a€client€to€the€extent€the€lawyer€reasonablyŠ «