attorney no contact rule when other party initiates contact in a social setting

by Miss Leilani Feeney 6 min read

What is the “no contact rule”?

It does not matter if the other party initiates it, requests it, consents to it or tells the lawyer he/she does not feel the need to have his lawyer included. As Comment 3 to the New York Rule provides, “[a] lawyer must immediately terminate communication with a party if after commencing communication, the lawyer learns that the party is one with whom communication is not …

Can a lawyer contact the other party directly?

The no-contact rule, which has the same text in most states, prohibits a lawyer from communicating with a represented party unless the lawyer is “authorized by law” to do so or has obtained advance consent from the represented party’s lawyer. NYPRR has addressed the no-contact rule and its various applications in several previous issues. [See, e.g., Roy Simon, …

Can a lawyer communicate with a represented person without a client?

with a person the lawyer knows to be represented by another lawyer in the matter, unless the lawyer has the consent of the other lawyer or is authorized to do so by law or court order. Comment 3 states that the rule applies even though the person represented by a lawyer initiates or consents to the communication.

When does a lawyer have an obligation to not contact a client?

Mar 26, 2008 · Question No. 6: Is it still a violation by the lawyer if the represented party initiates the communication to the lawyer? Answer: Yes. The Rule refers to "communicate", not "contact." The lawyer has the obligation to not participate in the communication initiated by a represented party unless and until the party's attorney consents. 6

Can represented clients talk to each other?

Parties to a matter may communicate directly with each other, and a lawyer is not prohibited from advising a client concerning a communication that the client is legally entitled to make.

Should a lawyer communicate with another party whom the lawyer knows is represented by counsel?

California Rule of Professional Conduct 2-100(A) prohibits a lawyer from communicating about a matter with a party known to be represented by a lawyer without the prior consent of that lawyer.Sep 26, 2016

Can I talk to another lawyer if I already have one?

Fire your attorney before you hire someone else. There are ethical rules that prevent lawyers from speaking to someone who already has an attorney. Generally, if you're shopping around for new representation, the new lawyer will ask to see a copy of the letter you sent firing your old attorney.Aug 23, 2018

What do you do when opposing counsel won't respond?

In a nutshell, if opposing counsel isn't responding:Document your repeated efforts at contact, including your statement of the consequence of continued nonresponse.Wait a reasonable amount of time.To be safe, get a court order authorizing direct contact.More items...•Jun 22, 2018

Can a paralegal communicate with an opposing party?

May a paralegal directly communicate with an opposing party who is represented by counsel? No. Neither lawyers nor paralegals may communicate with an opposing party who is represented by counsel without the express written permission of opposing counsel.Dec 19, 2016

Do opposing lawyers talk to each other?

(A) While representing a client, a member shall not communicate directly or indirectly about the subject of the representation with a party the member knows to be represented by another lawyer in the matter, unless the member has the consent of the other lawyer.

What should you not say to a lawyer?

Five things not to say to a lawyer (if you want them to take you..."The Judge is biased against me" Is it possible that the Judge is "biased" against you? ... "Everyone is out to get me" ... "It's the principle that counts" ... "I don't have the money to pay you" ... Waiting until after the fact.Jan 15, 2010

Is it normal to not hear from your lawyer?

Throughout the process of getting your financial settlement after becoming injured, there may be periods of time that you do not hear from your attorney. Although this can be unnerving, it is a normal part of the legal process.Oct 25, 2018

How do you tell a lawyer you don't need them?

Simple. You have the following options: Call and say “I no longer require your services, send me a final bill and my client file.” Write a letter saying “I no longer require your services, send me a final bill and my client file.”

What is the no contact rule?

The no-contact rule, which has the same text in most states, prohibits a lawyer from communicating with a represented party unless the lawyer is “authorized by law” to do so or has obtained advance consent from the represented party’s lawyer.

What was the case in Stanford v. President and Fellows of Harvard College?

Super. 2000)], a female member of the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) alleged that she had been denied a promotion because of her gender. To investigate her claims, her attorneys contacted five other HUPD police officers and obtained sworn affidavits from them. When Harvard’s attorneys found out about this, they sought sanctions against plaintiff’s lawyers for violating Rule 4.2 and its predecessor, DR 7-104 (A). Harvard argued that these ethical rules prohibited plaintiff’s lawyers from contacting any current HUPD employees to discuss any subject within the scope of their employment. The thrust of Harvard’s argument was that “any present employee” of HUPD could make a statement that would bind Harvard under the rules of evidence or under the common law of master and servant, and every current employee was therefore a “party” for purposes of DR 7-104.

What is the rule of not communicating?

The Rule refers to "communicate", not "contact.". The lawyer has the obligation to not participate in the communication initiated by a represented party unless and until the party's attorney consents. 6. Question No. 7: May the lawyer communicate with a represented co-party (as opposed to an adverse party) in a lawsuit without the consent ...

What are the exceptions to SCR 173?

Answer: There are several categories of exceptions that derive from SCR 173 (MR 3.4): 1. During the communication, the lawyer may not counsel or assist the witness to testify falsely; 24. 2. During the communication, the lawyer may not offer an inducement to a witness that is prohibited by law; 25. 3.

Is post trial communication allowed?

Answer: This is allowed when permitted by law. "Permitted by law" has been interpreted to mean that post-trial communication with discharged jurors is permitted, except when statute, local court rule, or an order from the judge presiding in the case prohibits it. ENDNOTES.

Can a lawyer communicate with a former employer without their consent?

Answer: The general rule is that they are no longer protected and the lawyer may communicate with them without the consent of their former employer's attorney — as long as they are not in possession of attorney/client privileged information or work product related to the case or matter.

Can a lawyer communicate with a party?

Answer: Yes. The lawyer may communicate with a represented party about any matter outside the subject of the representation — social or otherwise — as long as another attorney on the subject does not represent the party. 4.

Can a lawyer ask a client to refrain from giving information to another party?

During the communication, the lawyer may not request a person other than a client to refrain from voluntarily giving relevant information to another party unless: (a) The person is a relative or an employee or other agent of a client; and.

Can a lawyer script a communication?

Answer: No, but if the lawyer scripts the content of the communication (as opposed to conferring about the strategy of the communication), rather than letting the content of the communication originate from the client, it may be held to be a prohibited Rule 182 contact. 5.

What does "no contact order" mean?

A "no contact order" means that the defendant is precluded from having any contact and or communication with the victim or the person under the protection of the no contact order.

How long can you be in jail for a no contact order?

For example if a person is on probation, filing or bail, a single phone call made by the defendant to a victim under the protection of a no contact order probably means a minimum of ten 10 days in jail at the ACI.

When does a no contact order expire?

A no contact order expires when the sentence period is finished. It also expires if the case is dismissed or the defendant is found not guilty.

Can a person be arrested for a violation of a no contact order?

A person can be arrested for a violation even if the victim initiat es the contact and calls the defendant. A person can be charged with a violation even if invited by his wife to come back to the marital home. Even if the victim tells you that the no contact order has been dropped, do not take the victims word for it.

Can a probationary order be a no contact order?

However, be careful because there may also be another restraining order issued as a result of a divorce or Family Court matter or a District Court restraining order. A person who is on probation, bail or a probation attached to a suspended sentence must be even more vigilante in order to not violate the no contact order.

What is the no contact rule?

The fundamental principle underlying Rule 4-4.2 “Communication with Person Represented by Counsel,” commonly known as the “no contact rule,” is that a lawyer may not communicate with a represented person without the consent of the other person’s lawyer.

What is the right of an attorney to communicate directly with the government?

Some commentators argue that the constitutional right of free speech and the right of the people to petition the government to redress grievances provide the right for an attorney to communicate directly with the government. But no authority translates these rights as an exception to Rule 4-4.2. 17.

What is the opinion 09-1?

Opinion 09-1 concludes that an attorney must obtain the consent of the government lawyer prior to communicating with a government officer, director, or manager, as well as employees who are directly involved in the matter. The bar extends to public officials or employees whose acts or omissions may be imputed to the state agency.

What is a permitted communication?

Permitted communications include, for example, the right of a party to a controversy with a government agency to speak with government officials about the matter.” 13. Any consideration of what are “permitted communications” must begin with the legal effect of the comments that follow each rule.

Why is there no communication bar for all employees?

The rule does not support a communication bar on all officers and employees simply because the entity retains a general counsel. The bar applies to represented matters referred or handled by the general counsel. The same bar applies to communications with government officials and employees.

When was Ethics Opinion 09-1 issued?

On December 10, 2010, The Florida Bar Board of Bar Governors unanimously approved Ethics Opinion 09-1. The opinion concludes that a lawyer may not communicate with government officers, directors, or employees who are directly involved or whose acts can be imputed to the government entity in a represented matter about the subject matter ...

When does an attorney need consent?

an attorney needs consent when communicating with the other lawyer’s client. The rule applies when communicating with a private person or an organizational entity. The communication bar applies to officers, managing agents, and employees who are directly involved in the represented matter.

What is prohibited contact?

Prohibited Contact. A no contact order usually instructs the defendant not to have any in-person contact with the alleged victim. The defendant is instructed to stay a minimum number of feet away from the victim’s place of residence, employment and known areas that he or she frequents.

What happens if you violate a no contact order?

Violation of No Contact Orders. If a person violates a no contact orders, he or she can face serious consequences. Consequences often include potential jail time, the payment of fines or the loss of certain civil rights. Generally, consequences related to contempt of court can be imposed on a person who violates a no contact order.

What happens if a defendant cancels a no contact order?

If the victim says that the no contact order has been cancelled, the defendant should not take the victim’s word for it.

Why is it important to seek legal assistance?

As such, it is important to seek legal assistance to defend against the issuance of a no contact order. A lawyer can help lodge an effective defense in an attempt to avoid a no contact order being issued. If a defendant is charged with violating an existing no contact order, he or she should seek immediate legal assistance to avoid ...

Is a no contact order a crime?

Violating a no contact order is considered a crime as well as a violation of a probation, parole or bail conditions. If a court determines that a person on probation has violated the no contact order, his or her original sentence may be imposed. For example, if the person received a one-year sentence that was suspended, ...

Can a defendant have direct contact with a victim?

The defendant is often instructed not to have direct or indirect contact with the victim, such as giving a letter to a third party to give to the victim. The prohibitions on contact remain in effect even if the victim initiates the contact.

Can a defendant violate a contact order?

In addition to not violating the contact portion of the order, the defendant should also avoid taking any action that is prohibited by the order. For example, if the defendant is ordered only to have supervised visitation with his or her children, the defendant should not attempt to have unsupervised visits.

When communicating with the accused in a criminal matter, must a government lawyer comply with this rule?

When communicating with the accused in a criminal matter, a government lawyer must comply with this Rule in addition to honoring the constitutional rights of the accused. The fact that a communication does not violate a state or federal constitutional right is insufficient to establish that the communication is permissible under this Rule. ...

Can a lawyer request a court order?

A lawyer may also seek a court order in exceptional circumstances to authorize a communication that would otherwise be prohibited by this Rule, for example, where communication with a person represented by counsel is necessary to avoid reasonably certain injury.

Can a lawyer make a communication prohibited by this rule?

A lawyer may not make a communication prohibited by this Rule through the acts of another. See Rule 8.4 (a). Parties to a matter may communicate directly with each other, and a lawyer is not prohibited from advising a client concerning a communication that the client is legally entitled to make.

Is consent required for a lawyer to communicate with a former constituent?

Consent of the organization’s lawyer is not required for communication with a former constituent. If a constituent of the organization is represented in the matter by his or her own counsel, the consent by that counsel to a communication will be sufficient for purposes of this Rule. Compare Rule 3.4 (f).

Can a lawyer evade the requirement of obtaining the consent of counsel by closing eyes to the obvious?

See Rule 1.0 (f). Thus, the lawyer cannot evade the requirement of obtaining the consent of counsel by closing eyes to the obvious.