What is required in California if two lawyers are in a personal relationship and are representing the same client?

In California, if two lawyers who are in a personal relationship are representing the same client, it is essential to obtain informed, written consent from the client. This requirement is grounded in the rules of professional conduct, which aim to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure that a client's decisions are made with the full understanding of any potential influences on the representation.

This requirement serves multiple purposes. First, it promotes transparency with the client, allowing them to understand any dynamics that could affect the lawyers' judgment or objectivity. Second, it protects the integrity of the attorney-client relationship by ensuring the client has voluntarily consented to the dual representation in light of the personal relationship between the attorneys.

Other options, such as informing the court of their personal relationship or discontinuing their representation, may be advisable in certain situations to uphold ethical standards, but they do not encapsulate the primary requirement stipulated by the rules regarding conflicts of interest in this context. Seeking independent review by another lawyer does not address the necessity of obtaining the client’s informed consent directly. Therefore, acquiring informed, written consent is the critical step in maintaining ethical standards when personal relationships intersect with professional responsibilities in client representation.