Ga. R. Prof. Cond. 1.10
The maximum penalty for a violation of this rule is disbarment.
Ga. R. Prof. Cond. 1.10
Comment
Definition of "Firm"
[1] For purposes of these rules, the term "firm" includes lawyers in a private firm, and lawyers in the legal department of a corporation or other organization, or in a legal services organization. Whether two or more lawyers constitute a firm within this definition can depend on the specific facts. For example, two practitioners who share office space and occasionally consult or assist each other ordinarily would not be regarded as constituting a firm. However, if they present themselves to the public in a way suggesting that they are a firm or conduct themselves as a firm, they should be regarded as a firm for the purposes of the rules. The terms of any formal agreement between associated lawyers are relevant in determining whether they are a firm, as is the fact that they have mutual access to information concerning the clients they serve. Furthermore, it is relevant in doubtful cases to consider the underlying purpose of the rule that is involved. A group of lawyers could be regarded as a firm for purposes of the rule that the same lawyer should not represent opposing parties in litigation, while it might not be so regarded for purposes of the rule that information acquired by one lawyer is attributed to the other.
[2] With respect to the law department of an organization, there is ordinarily no question that the members of the department constitute a firm within the meaning of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct. However, there can be uncertainty as to the identity of the client. For example, it may not be clear whether the law department of a corporation represents a subsidiary or an affiliated corporation, as well as the corporation by which the members of the department are directly employed. A similar question can arise concerning an unincorporated association and its local affiliates.
[3] Similar questions can also arise with respect to lawyers in legal aid. Lawyers employed in the same unit of a legal service organization constitute a firm, but not necessarily those employed in separate units. As in the case of independent practitioners, whether the lawyers should be treated as associated with each other can depend on the particular rule that is involved, and on the specific facts of the situation.
[4] Where a lawyer has joined a private firm after having represented the government, the situation is governed by Rule 1.11(a) and (b) : Successive Government and Private Employment; where a lawyer represents the government after having served private clients, the situation is governed by Rule 1.11(c) (1) : Successive Government and Private Employment. The individual lawyer involved is bound by the Rules generally, including Rules 1.6 : Confidentiality of Information, 1.7: Conflict of Interest: General Rule and 1.9: Conflict of Interest: Former Client.
[5] Different provisions are thus made for movement of a lawyer from one private firm to another and for movement of a lawyer between a private firm and the government. The government is entitled to protection of its client confidences and, therefore, to the protections provided in Rules 1.6 : Confidentiality of Information, 1.9: Conflict of Interest: Former Client, and 1.11: Successive Government and Private Employment. However, if the more extensive disqualification in Rule 1.10 : Imputed Disqualification were applied to former government lawyers, the potential effect on the government would be unduly burdensome. The government deals with all private citizens and organizations and, thus, has a much wider circle of adverse legal interests than does any private law firm. In these circumstances, the government's recruitment of lawyers would be seriously impaired if Rule 1.10 : Imputed Disqualification were applied to the government. On balance, therefore, the government is better served in the long run by the protections stated in Rule 1.11 : Successive Government and Private Employment.
Principles of Imputed Disqualification
[6] The rule of imputed disqualification stated in paragraph (a) gives effect to the principle of loyalty to the client as it applies to lawyers who practice in a law firm. Such situations can be considered from the premise that a firm of lawyers is essentially one lawyer for purposes of the rules governing loyalty to the client, or from the premise that each lawyer is vicariously bound by the obligation of loyalty owed by each lawyer with whom the lawyer is associated. Paragraph (a) operates only among the lawyers currently associated in a firm. When a lawyer moves from one firm to another, the situation is governed by Rules 1.9(b) : Conflict of Interest: Former Client, and 1.10 (b): Imputed Disqualification: General Rule.
[7] Rule 1.10(b) : Imputed Disqualification operates to permit a law firm, under certain circumstances, to represent a person with interests directly adverse to those of a client represented by a lawyer who formerly was associated with the firm. The rule applies regardless of when the formerly associated lawyer represented the client. However, the law firm may not represent a person with interests adverse to those of a present client of the firm, which would violate Rule 1.7 : Conflict of Interest. Moreover, the firm may not represent the person where the matter is the same or substantially related to that in which the formerly associated lawyer represented the client and any other lawyer currently in the firm has material information protected by Rules 1.6 : Confidentiality of Information and 1.9 (c): Conflict of Interest: Former Client.