ABA-445
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| In the class action context, "a client-lawyer relationship with a potential member of the class does not begin until the class has been certified and the time for opting out by a potential member of the class has expired." Thus, Model Rules 4.2 and 7.3 "do not generally prohibit counsel for either plaintiff or defendant from communicating with persons who may in the future become members of the class." Both lawyers must comply with Model Rule 4.3 if they communicate with potential class members. Plaintiffs' lawyer must comply with Model Rule 7.3 if they are soliciting membership in the class, but those restrictions "do not apply to contacting potential class members as witnesses." "Both plaintiffs' counsel and defense counsel have legitimate need to reach out to potential class members regarding the facts that are the subject of the potential class action, including information that may be relevant to whether or not a class should be certified." "Restricting defense communication with potential plaintiffs could inhibit the defendant from taking remedial measures to alleviate a harmful or dangerous condition that has led to the lawsuit. A defendant in a class action lawsuit also would be prevented from attempting to reach conciliation agreements with members of the potential class without going through a lawyer whom the potential class member may have no interest in retaining." Of course, "the court may assume control over communications by counsel with class members." |