When representing an organization, who is the client?

• A. The organization, not the officers or shareholders.
• B. The officers
• C. The individual shareholders
• D. The public

Answer: (A)

When you represent an organization, the client is the organization itself. The attorney’s duties run to the organization as the represented party, not to individual officers or shareholders. The officers or directors may hire and direct the counsel on behalf of the organization, but they do not become the client in their personal capacity. If there’s a conflict between what individual officers or shareholders want and what’s best for the organization, the lawyer must prioritize the organization’s interests and follow its governance process, even if that means prioritizing the board’s or the organization’s decisions over those of individuals.