Legal Ethics Glossary

A legal protection ensuring that confidential communications between a lawyer and client for the purpose of legal advice cannot be compelled to be disclosed.

A professional organization of lawyers that may regulate admission to practice, enforce ethical standards, and provide continuing legal education.

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).

The duty of honesty and truthfulness that lawyers owe to the tribunal, requiring disclosure of directly adverse authority and prohibiting false statements.

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.

The legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness, and preparation reasonably necessary for a lawyer to provide effective representation.

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.

A fee arrangement in which the lawyer's compensation depends on the outcome of the case, typically a percentage of the recovery.

Mandatory post-admission education required in most jurisdictions to ensure lawyers maintain and update their professional knowledge and skills.

The duty of a lawyer to act with reasonable promptness, thoroughness, and dedication in representing a client's interests.

The most severe disciplinary sanction, permanently revoking a lawyer's license to practice law, typically imposed for the most serious ethical violations.

Evidence that tends to establish a defendant's innocence or mitigate the severity of the offense, which prosecutors are constitutionally required to disclose.

The highest standard of care and loyalty owed by a lawyer to a client, arising from the trust-based nature of the legal relationship.

The rule that a conflict of interest held by one lawyer in a firm is generally attributed to all lawyers in the firm.

A client's agreement to a proposed course of action after receiving adequate information about material risks and available alternatives.

Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts — a program where interest earned on pooled client trust funds is used to fund legal aid services.

A civil cause of action against a lawyer for negligent or wrongful professional conduct resulting in harm to the client.

The ABA's comprehensive set of rules governing lawyer conduct, adopted in 1983 and serving as the basis for ethics regulation in most U.S. states.

The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination, a standardized test on legal ethics required for bar admission in most U.S. jurisdictions.

Legal services provided without charge or at a substantially reduced fee to persons of limited means or organizations serving the public interest.

The special ethical obligations of prosecutors, including the duty to seek justice rather than merely to convict and to disclose exculpatory evidence.

An internal firm procedure isolating a disqualified lawyer from participation in a matter to prevent imputed disqualification of the entire firm.

Direct contact with a prospective client for the purpose of obtaining professional employment, subject to restrictions under the Model Rules.

Engaging in legal practice without proper licensure or authorization, prohibited for both non-lawyers and lawyers practicing outside their jurisdiction.

A legal protection shielding materials prepared by a lawyer in anticipation of litigation from discovery by the opposing party, distinct from attorney-client privilege.