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Legal Ethics Cheat Sheet

The core ideas of Legal Ethics distilled into a single, scannable reference — perfect for review or quick lookup.

PiqCue — piqcue.com/legal-ethics/cheatsheet

Quick Reference

Attorney-Client Privilege

A legal doctrine that protects confidential communications between a lawyer and a client made for the purpose of obtaining or providing legal advice. The privilege belongs to the client and can only be waived by the client, ensuring that individuals can speak candidly with their attorneys.

Duty of Confidentiality

A broader obligation than attorney-client privilege, requiring lawyers to protect all information relating to the representation of a client, regardless of its source. Under Model Rule 1.6, this duty continues even after the attorney-client relationship ends.

Conflict of Interest

A situation in which a lawyer's ability to represent a client is materially limited by the lawyer's responsibilities to another client, a former client, a third person, or the lawyer's own personal interests. Model Rules 1.7 through 1.10 address various types of conflicts.

Zealous Advocacy

The principle that a lawyer should pursue a client's lawful objectives through all reasonably available legal means. While lawyers must advocate vigorously, zealous advocacy does not permit dishonesty, obstruction of justice, or violation of court rules.

Duty of Competence

Under Model Rule 1.1, a lawyer must provide competent representation, which requires the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness, and preparation reasonably necessary for the representation. This now includes an understanding of relevant technology.

Duty of Candor to the Tribunal

Under Model Rule 3.3, a lawyer must not knowingly make a false statement of fact or law to a court, must correct previously made false statements, and must disclose legal authority in the controlling jurisdiction directly adverse to the client's position if not disclosed by opposing counsel.

Informed Consent

Agreement by a client to a proposed course of conduct after the lawyer has communicated adequate information and explanation about the material risks of and reasonably available alternatives to the proposed course. Required in conflict-of-interest situations and other critical decisions.

Pro Bono Obligation

The professional responsibility of lawyers to provide legal services without charge or at reduced fees to persons of limited means and organizations that serve the public interest. Model Rule 6.1 recommends at least 50 hours of pro bono service per year.

Attorney Discipline

The system of sanctions and remedial measures imposed on lawyers who violate rules of professional conduct. Disciplinary actions range from private reprimands to suspension and disbarment, and are typically administered by state bar associations or supreme courts.

Fiduciary Duty

The heightened obligation of loyalty and care that a lawyer owes to a client by virtue of the trust-based nature of the attorney-client relationship. This duty requires the lawyer to act in the client's best interests and to avoid self-dealing.

Key Terms at a Glance

Attorney-Client Privilege:A legal protection ensuring that confidential communications between a lawyer and client for the purpose of legal advice cannot be compelled to be disclosed.
Bar Association:A professional organization of lawyers that may regulate admission to practice, enforce ethical standards, and provide continuing legal education.
Brady Violation:A failure by the prosecution to disclose material exculpatory evidence to the defense, violating the defendant's due process rights under Brady v. Maryland (1963).
Candor:The duty of honesty and truthfulness that lawyers owe to the tribunal, requiring disclosure of directly adverse authority and prohibiting false statements.
Client Trust Account:A separate bank account in which a lawyer must hold funds belonging to clients or third parties, kept separate from the lawyer's own funds.
Competence:The legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness, and preparation reasonably necessary for a lawyer to provide effective representation.
Conflict of Interest:A situation where a lawyer's duties to one client, a former client, or the lawyer's own interests are at odds with duties owed to another client.
Contingency Fee:A fee arrangement in which the lawyer's compensation depends on the outcome of the case, typically a percentage of the recovery.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE):Mandatory post-admission education required in most jurisdictions to ensure lawyers maintain and update their professional knowledge and skills.
Disbarment:The most severe disciplinary sanction, permanently revoking a lawyer's license to practice law, typically imposed for the most serious ethical violations.
Diligence:The duty of a lawyer to act with reasonable promptness, thoroughness, and dedication in representing a client's interests.
Exculpatory Evidence:Evidence that tends to establish a defendant's innocence or mitigate the severity of the offense, which prosecutors are constitutionally required to disclose.
Fiduciary Duty:The highest standard of care and loyalty owed by a lawyer to a client, arising from the trust-based nature of the legal relationship.
Imputed Disqualification:The rule that a conflict of interest held by one lawyer in a firm is generally attributed to all lawyers in the firm.
Informed Consent:A client's agreement to a proposed course of action after receiving adequate information about material risks and available alternatives.

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Legal Ethics Cheat Sheet - Quick Reference Guide | PiqCue