Which rule governs a lawyer’s duty to avoid conflicts when dealing withmultiple clients who are professionals within the same organization?

• A. Model Rule 1.7 (conflicts of interest with current clients) and 1.13 (organization as client) with proper management.
• B. Model Rule 3.1 (merits)
• C. Model Rule 5.5 (unauthorized practice)
• D. Model Rule 2.1 (advisor)

Answer: (A)

The question tests how conflicts of interest are handled when a lawyer represents multiple professionals within the same organization. When several professionals in the same organization are clients, there can be competing loyalties and risks that one client’s interests will adversely affect another’s. Model Rule 1.7 governs conflicts with current clients and requires that a lawyer either avoid the representation or obtain informed, written consent after full disclosure if there’s a significant risk of conflict that cannot be resolved. Model Rule 1.13 treats the organization as the client and addresses conflicts between the organization and individuals within it; it allows joint representation only if the lawyer can provide diligent and loyal representation to the organization and all affected individuals, or, if a conflict exists, the lawyer may represent them all only with informed consent and with proper protective steps, such as screening to prevent the sharing of confidential information and to avoid imputed disqualification.

This combination—1.7 with proper consent and protection, along with 1.13 regarding the organizational client—best fits the scenario. The other choices cover different topics (merits; unauthorized practice; general advisory role) and do not address conflicts arising from representing multiple professionals within the same organization.