Attorneys are required to represent clients effectively. When an attorney’s ability to do this is affected by a conflict of interest, a client may suffer harm. Since their legal representation would have been compromised, the client may experience adverse outcomes in their case.
Here are two examples of conflicts of interest in the legal field:
1. An attorney has responsibilities to a client with opposing interests
An attorney representing two parties with opposing interests can create a conflict of interest. For example, if an attorney agrees to represent a client who wishes to bring a personal injury case after a crash, a conflict of interest could occur if that law firm happens to be contracted to represent the other driver’s insurer.
Or maybe an attorney or law firm specializes in business law and has a variety of clients in the town. A conflict of interest could occur if one of the parties they usually represent wishes to bring a breach of contract claim against one of the other businesses the attorney looks after.
Note that a conflict of interest could also exist between an attorney’s current and former clients, as typically, attorneys have certain obligations to former clients.
2. They are limited by their own interests
An attorney’s own interests can conflict with those of a client. For example, when they represent a client suing a business they have invested in, or draft a will in which they are a beneficiary.
If you believe your attorney failed to act in your best interests, and you suffered as a result, get more information to protect your rights.
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