Several types of attorneys do not provide a tangible object to their clients. Despite its name, lawyers who do not provide a tangible object to their clients often work in court and the grand jury process. Depending on the case, lawyers may be called on to testify as an advocate for the client or they may simply act as a rubber stamp or shield. But which one should you choose?
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Rules of Professional Conduct
A lawyer’s Code of Ethics consists of Rules of Professional Conduct that are in part mandatory, in part disciplinary, and part constitutive. The Rules define the professional conduct of a lawyer, and they also contain several Comments that clarify the Rules and provide guidance for practicing within them. These comments are intended to assist lawyers in their practice, not to add or take away obligations.
The Rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers who don’t provide a tangible object for their clients may be different in cases where a lawyer is acting as a third-party neutral, assisting the parties to a legal dispute. These Rules apply to lawyers in different capacities, including those who are not active in the practice of law. Moreover, a lawyer can be subject to disciplinary action if he or she commits fraud in the conduct of business.
Another Rule of Professional Conduct about lawyers who don’t provide a tangible item for their clients is that of maintaining confidentiality. Confidentiality duties attach to a lawyer only after a client requests legal services. Whether a lawyer and client have established a client-lawyer relationship is a factual issue. If the client has a legitimate concern about a legal matter, he or she must communicate the information to that party.
Different kinds of tangible evidence
There are different kinds of tangible evidence that lawyers can use in court cases. One example is a rare old coin. The face value of such a coin might be $1, but when melted down, the metal would be worth more than gold. Likewise, the value of a particular coin might rise or fall based on its rarity or collector’s demand. A Florida statute clarifies these factors.