What does Rule 1.7 address?

Rule 1.7 of the American Bar Association's Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which Kentucky follows, specifically addresses conflicts of interest related to concurrent representation of clients. It prohibits attorneys from representing clients if such representation involves a concurrent conflict of interest unless specific conditions are met.

A concurrent conflict of interest exists when the representation of one client will be directly adverse to another client's interests, or when there is a significant risk that the representation of a client will be materially limited by the lawyer’s responsibilities to another client, a former client, or a third person. The rule mandates that lawyers carefully assess their situation to avoid situations where their ability to represent a client would be compromised by their obligations to another.

In essence, the primary focus of Rule 1.7 is to ensure that lawyers maintain loyalty to their clients and work without conflicting interests that could damage the clients' rights or compromises the integrity of the legal profession. This protection upholds the ethical responsibility of attorneys to act in their clients' best interests without being influenced by other duties or relationships.

The other options, while relevant to legal ethics, do not pertain to Rule 1.7. Reporting financial misconduct, guidelines for attorney-client privilege, and regulations surrounding lawyer advertising are covered under different