When providing limited legal services, what ethical responsibility must lawyers still uphold?

When lawyers provide limited legal services, they must still maintain some ethical responsibilities despite the scope of the engagement being narrower than in full-service situations. This includes adhering to the basic principles of competence, confidentiality, and conflict of interest, which are fundamental to legal practice. Even if the representation is limited, the lawyer is obligated to act in the client's best interests and to ensure that the services provided are done competently.

In this context, while the attorney-client relationship may not be as comprehensive as in full-service engagements, the essential ethical obligations remain intact. Lawyers must ensure that they do not compromise their clients' rights or interests due to the limited nature of their representation. This recognition of ongoing ethical duties is vital for maintaining integrity within the profession and protecting client welfare.

The incorrect options reflect misunderstandings about the nature of limited representation. A complete attorney-client relationship may not be established in limited engagements, and extensive investigations or continuous legal services are not necessarily required under such arrangements. The focus is instead on preserving core ethical standards regardless of how constrained the services are.