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. 
 
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0719

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2-Adversity to Former Clients

3-Multiple Representations on the Same Matter

31-Protecting and Disclosing Confidences and Secrets

A lawyer represented four clients in automobile accident case, but one of the clients ends the representation and hires another lawyer. One of the remaining clients later tells the lawyer that the former client was not injured in the accident and is attempting to defraud the carrier (thus reducing the compensation available to the three remaining clients). If the lawyer continues to represent the three clients, the lawyer must advise all of them of this possible fraud because the fraud "would deplete the fund from which your continuing clients might recover" (because the lawyer learned about the possible fraud after the representation of the claimant ended, the lawyer has no duty to keep the information secret).

Copyright 2000, Thomas E. Spahn