Which of the following must be considered when addressing a conflict of interest?

When addressing a conflict of interest, the most crucial aspect to consider is the impact on loyalty to existing clients. Attorneys have a fundamental duty of loyalty to their clients, which can be compromised if they take on representations that may potentially affect the interests of those clients. A conflict of interest arises when a lawyer's responsibilities to one client may adversely affect the representation of another client, or when there is a risk that the lawyer's objectivity may be compromised.

In assessing a conflict, it is essential to evaluate whether the representation will create a situation where the interests of existing clients might be jeopardized. This could involve situations where the lawyer has opposing clients or has access to confidential information that could disadvantage one of the clients. The duty to maintain loyalty directly ties into ethical obligations that lawyers must uphold to ensure they represent their clients' best interests without any conflicting allegiances.

While other options may touch upon relevant aspects of a lawyer's practice, they do not address the core issue of loyalty and the potential for harm to current clients, which is paramount in conflict of interest analysis.