These summaries were prepared by McGuireWoods LLP lawyer Thomas E. Spahn. They are based on the letter opinions issued by the Virginia State Bar. Any editorial comments reflect Mr. Spahn's current personal views, and not the opinions of the Virginia State Bar, McGuireWoods or its clients. 
 
 Back to main menu

  Print This Leo
LEO NumTopicsSummary
1225

print
1-Adversity to Current Clients

2-Adversity to Former Clients

A lawyer is retained by a client to pursue a wrongful death case, but later finds that one of decedent's relatives is the proper plaintiff (as administrator) and that the client and the relative have adverse interests (among other things, the relative believes that the client is guilty of child abuse). Unless there is consent after full disclosure, the lawyer may not drop the client and represent the relative, because the relative's interests are adverse to the lawyer's first client.

Copyright 2000, Thomas E. Spahn