Ethics/Professional Responsibility
Aug. 5, 2026
Do I have a conflict? Case law reveals some practical ways to know
A recent California decision reinforces that a lawyer's move to a new firm does not automatically create a disqualifying conflict if effective ethical safeguards are in place.
Wendy L. Patrick
Wendy is a California lawyer, past chair and advisor of the California State Bar Ethics Committee (Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct), and past chair of the San Diego County Bar Association Legal Ethics Committee. Any opinions expressed here are her own, and do not reflect that of her employer. This article does not constitute legal advice.
One of the most anxiety-riddled words for a busy lawyer juggling an existing caseload while onboarding new clients is "conflict." Raising the specter of competing interests and divided loyalties is a surefire way to capture the attention of any lawyer, because duties to clients are paramount. Yet in a world where lawyers switch firms frequently, building a portfolio rather than settling down in one place for a career, the question of conflict is common. Fortunately, case law ...
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