Read Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 4.4 Respect for Rights of Third Persons
Jump to Ethics Opinions by IRPC Rule
Rule 4.4 Respect for Rights of Third Persons
-
Opinion 09-01 |
Communication With Corporate Employees | Communication With Represented Person | Communication With Unrepresented Person
A lawyer may communicate with a current constituent of a represented organization about the subject-matter of the representation without the consent of the organization’s counsel only when the constituent does not (i) supervise, direct or regularly consult with the organization’s lawyer concerning the matter; (ii) have authority to obligate the organization with respect to the matter; or (iii) have acts or omissions in connection with the matter that may be imputed to the organization for purposes of civil or criminal liability. Consent of the organization’s lawyer is not required for communication with former constituents about the matter of the representation. If the constituent has his or her own counsel, however, that counsel must consent to the communication.
-
Opinion 01-06 |
Communication With Adverse Person | Frivolous Arguments
While a lawyer may zealously represent the interests of a client, a lawyer must be truthful in dealings with adversaries and third parties and cannot take actions designed merely to harass or burden such other parties.
Rule 4.4(b)
-
Opinion 98-04 |
Communication With Client | Confidentiality | Inadvertent Receipt and Disclosure of Confidential Materials
A lawyer who, without notice of the inadvertent transmission, receives and reviews an opposing party’s confidential materials through the error or inadvertence of opposing counsel, may use information in such materials. A lawyer who knows of an inadvertent transmission before confidential materials of an opposing party have been opened and reviewed should return such materials without examination. A lawyer has a duty to advise a client that confidential information was inadvertently transmitted to and read by opposing counsel.