1990 Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct
RULE 1.7 Conflict of Interest:
Current Clients
General
Rule
[revisions to 1990 Rule are
indicated as follows: text deleted from the 1990 Rule is shown by
strikethrough;
additions to the 1990 Rule are shown in red]
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), aA lawyer shall not represent a client if the
representation involves a concurrent conflict of interest. A
concurrent conflict of interest exists if: of that client will be directly adverse to another client,
unless:
(1) the representation of one client will be directly adverse to another client; or
(2) there is a significant risk that the representation of one or more clients will be materially limited by the lawyer's responsibilities to another client, a former client or a third person or by a personal interest of the lawyer.
(1) the lawyer reasonably believes the representation will
not adversely affect the relationship with the other client; and
(2) each client consents after disclosure.
(b) A lawyer shall not represent a client if the
representation of that client may be materially limited by the lawyer's
responsibilities to another client or to a third person, or by the lawyer's
own interests, unless:
(1) the lawyer reasonably believes the representation will
not be adversely affected; and
(2) the client consents after disclosure.
(b) Notwithstanding the existence of a concurrent conflict of interest under
paragraph (a), a lawyer may represent a client if:
(1) the lawyer reasonably believes that the lawyer will be able to provide competent and diligent representation to each affected client;
(2) the representation is not prohibited by law;
(3) the representation does not involve the assertion of a claim by one client against another client represented by the lawyer in the same litigation or other proceeding before a tribunal; and
(4) each affected client gives informed consent.
(c) When representation of multiple clients in a single
matter is undertaken, the disclosure shall include explanation of the
implications of the common representation and the advantages and risks
involved.
Adopted February 8, 1990; effective
August 1, 1990.