Finally, attorneys argue that clients are often intimidated or distrustful of lawyers. If attorneys work with other professionals, the attorneys might benefit from the reputation of the other profession. Attorneys can potentially work within this structure and have an influence upon its development, especially as regards professionalism and protection of individuals. Those who oppose MDPs cite concerns that the independence of the profession will be compromised if MDPs are formed. A number of the Rules of Professional Conduct would have to be amended.
Accountants have a professional obligation to disclose client information in audits.
Finally, there is a great deal of concern that attorneys would lose their independence of judgment on behalf of the client if a nonattorney, profit-minded boss determined what clients the firm would accept or what settlement offers the firm must recommend to clients. The ethical concerns are greater under fully integrated MDPs than under the partially integrated model. The partially integrated model requires attorneys to maintain the majority control in the firm to make certain that profit considerations do not outweigh the core value decisions of the profession. This is the recommendation from the NCBA MDP Task Force. Those who oppose MDPs are concerned that if the legal profession allows itself to be integrated with other professions that we have forever lost the chance to strengthen the traditional legal practice.