English
EspañolA lawyer told me he cannot represent me because there is a conflict of interest. What does that mean?
If a lawyer tells you they cannot take your case because of a conflict of interest, it means something about your case could keep them from representing you fairly and fully.
For example, this might happen if:
- The other person in your case shared information about the case with the attorney, asked them to be their lawyer, or the lawyer is actively representing them;
- They previously represented the other person involved in your case;
- They know private information from a past client that could affect your case;
- They still have duties to a current or past client that would limit their ability to represent you; or
- They have a personal or financial connection to the other side that could affect their representation.
Because lawyers must follow strict ethical rules, they cannot take cases where they would not be completely loyal to you and your interests. A conflict of interest could prevent them from giving you their best, most honest advice and representation.
So, if a lawyer says there is a conflict, it does not mean your case is not important. It just means they are not allowed to represent you because it could be unfair to you, and there’s a potential conflict of interest they are trying to avoid.
If you want to learn more about the rules lawyers follow, you can read the Model Rules of Professional Conduct from the American Bar Association.
