What Constitutes a Conflict of Interest?

If your lawyer has a conflict of interest, meaning their best interests are for any reason in opposition to yours, it could cause them to be unable to do their job as a fiduciary — but what constitutes a conflict of interest for a lawyer, exactly? There are several ways that your attorney’s interests may clash with yours, compromising their ability to provide you fair and effective representation. Some common situations, which we will discuss in further detail, that constitute conflicts of interest for lawyers include: Representing competing clients Personal financial interests Former client conflicts Third-party influences Personal relationships with opposing...