In dealing on behalf of a client with a person who is not represented by counsel, a lawyer shall not state or imply that the lawyer is disinterested. When the lawyer knows or reasonably should know that the unrepresented person misunderstands the lawyer’s role in the matter, the lawyer shall make reasonable efforts to correct the misunderstanding.
Comment
An unrepresented person, particularly one not experienced in dealing with legal matters, might assume that a lawyer is disinterested in loyalties or is a disinterested authority on the law, even when the lawyer represents a client. During the course of a lawyer’s representation of a client, the lawyer should not give advice to an unrepresented person other than the advice to obtain counsel.
Comparison With Former Alabama Code of Professional Responsibility
There was no direct counterpart to this Rule in the former Code. DR 7-104(A)(2) provided that a lawyer shall not “[g]ive advice to a person who is not represented by a lawyer, other than the advice to secure counsel….”
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