What is required of lawyers when representing clients with potential conflicts of interest?

When representing clients with potential conflicts of interest, lawyers are required to disclose possible conflicts and obtain informed consent from clients. This practice upholds the ethical principles of transparency and loyalty, which are fundamental to the attorney-client relationship. By disclosing conflicts, lawyers ensure that clients are fully aware of any factors that may affect the representation. Obtaining informed consent means clients understand the implications of proceeding despite the conflicts and agree to it willingly. This process protects both the client's interests and the integrity of the legal profession, fostering trust and maintaining the high ethical standards expected of legal practitioners.

In contrast, proceeding without disclosures ignores the ethical duty to inform clients and could lead to significant issues, including potential malpractice claims. Ignoring minor conflicts might undermine a lawyer's ability to represent the client effectively, as those conflicts, however seemingly insignificant, could still affect decision-making. Consulting a committee before representation might be unnecessary and cumbersome for every potential conflict, although in some circumstances, it can be a prudent step to seek guidance on more complex issues. However, the essential requirement remains that clients must be informed and consent to any conflicts to ensure ethical representation.