Source: https://lalegalethics.org/louisiana-rules-of-professional-conduct/article-1-client-lawyer-relationship/rule-1-0-terminology/
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 10:13:34+00:00

Document:
(n) “Writing” or “written” denotes a tangible or electronic record of a communication or representation, including handwriting, typewriting, printing, photostating, photography, audio or videorecording and electronic communications. A “signed” writing includes an electronic sound, symbol or process attached to or logically associated with a writing and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the writing.
Prior to 2002, Louisiana, like most other states, never adopted the “Terminology” provision of the ABA Model Rules because the ABA provision had no rule number. In 2002, the ABA removed the stand-alone Terminology section from the Model Rules and created a new Rule 1.0 to give the defined terms greater prominence and to permit the use of Comments to explicate further some of the provisions. See ABA Ethics 2000 Commission Revision Notes to Model Rule 1.0 (2002).
“Informed Consent.” In 2002, the ABA substituted the term “informed consent” for the pre-2002 term “consent after consultation.” The ABA believed that the term “consultation” was not well understood and did not sufficiently indicate the extent to which clients had to be given adequate information and explanation in order to make reasonably informed decisions. The ABA believed that the term “informed consent,” which is familiar from its use in other contexts, is more likely to convey to lawyers what is required under the Rules. No change in substance was intended. See id.
“Firm.” In 2002, the ABA clarified (in comments to ABA Rule 1.0) that legal departments of government entities are included within the definition of “firm.” The ABA also included a reference to “other association authorized to practice law” to encompass lawyers practicing in limited liability entities. However, it intended no change in substance. See id.
“Fraud.” In 2002, the ABA redefined the term “fraud” because it was concerned that the pre-2002 definition was ambiguous since it did not clearly state whether, in addition to the intent to deceive, the conduct in question had to be fraudulent under applicable substantive or procedural law. The ABA was concerned that under the prior definition conduct could be considered “fraudulent” merely because it involved an intention to deceive, even though it did not violate any other law. The ABA clarified in Model Rule 1.0 that in order for conduct to be “fraudulent,” it must be fraudulent under applicable substantive or procedural law. See id.
“Writing.” In 2002, the ABA defined “signed” to include methods intended as the equivalent of a traditional signature. This electronic signature provision was modeled on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. See id. “Signed” includes an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a writing and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the writing.
“Screened.” In 2002, the ABA defined “screened” to include a requirement that the lawyer be “timely” isolated from participation in the matter. The ABA believed that the timeliness requirement is so important that it included the timeliness requirement in the text of Rules 1.11, 1.12 and 1.18. See ABA Ethics 2000 Commission Revision Notes to Model Rule 1.11 (2002).
 If it is not feasible to obtain or transmit a written confirmation at the time the client gives informed consent, then the lawyer must obtain or transmit it within a reasonable time thereafter. If a lawyer has obtained a client’s informed consent, the lawyer may act in reliance on that consent so long as it is confirmed in writing within a reasonable time thereafter.
As to district attorneys’ offices, however, the Louisiana Supreme Court has long held that a conflict of one assistant district attorney is not imputed to the district attorney or to other assistants in the same office. See, e.g., State v. Edwards, 420 So. 2d 663, 673 (La. 1982) (“The recusal or disqualification of an assistant district attorney does not require the recusal of the district attorney or his other assistants.”); State v. Brazile, 90 So. 2d 789 (La. 1956) (“the recusation of the subordinate does not require the disqualification of his principal”); see also State v. Battaglia, 2018 WL 851274 (La. Feb. 14, 2018); State v. Gray, 136 So. 3d 919, 930 (La. Ct. App. 2d Cir. 2014) (“The courts have consistently refused to recuse the district attorney and the rest of his staff when an assistant district attorney formerly represented the defendant”).
 When used in these Rules, the terms “fraud” or “fraudulent” refer to conduct that is characterized as such under the substantive or procedural law of the applicable jurisdiction and has a purpose to deceive. This does not include merely negligent misrepresentation or negligent failure to apprise another of relevant information. For purposes of these Rules, it is not necessary that anyone has suffered damages or relied on the misrepresentation or failure to inform.
 Many of the Rules of Professional Conduct require the lawyer to obtain the informed consent of a client or other person (e.g., a former client or, under certain circumstances, a prospective client) before accepting or continuing representation or pursuing a course of conduct. See, e.g., Rules 1.2(c), 1.6(a) and 1.7(b). The communication necessary to obtain such consent will vary according to the Rule involved and the circumstances giving rise to the need to obtain informed consent. The lawyer must make reasonable efforts to ensure that the client or other person possesses information reasonably adequate to make an informed decision. Ordinarily, this will require communication that includes a disclosure of the facts and circumstances giving rise to the situation, any explanation reasonably necessary to inform the client or other person of the material advantages and disadvantages of the proposed course of conduct and a discussion of the client’s or other person’s options and alternatives. In some circumstances it may be appropriate for a lawyer to advise a client or other person to seek the advice of other counsel. A lawyer need not inform a client or other person of facts or implications already known to the client or other person; nevertheless, a lawyer who does not personally inform the client or other person assumes the risk that the client or other person is inadequately informed and the consent is invalid. In determining whether the information and explanation provided are reasonably adequate, relevant factors include whether the client or other person is experienced in legal matters generally and in making decisions of the type involved, and whether the client or other person is independently represented by other counsel in giving the consent. Normally, such persons need less information and explanation than others, and generally a client or other person who is independently represented by other counsel in giving the consent should be assumed to have given informed consent.
 Obtaining informed consent will usually require an affirmative response by the client or other person. In general, a lawyer may not assume consent from a client’s or other person’s silence. Consent may be inferred, however, from the conduct of a client or other person who has reasonably adequate information about the matter. A number of Rules require that a person’s consent be confirmed in writing. See Rules 1.7(b) and 1.9(a). For a definition of “writing” and “confirmed in writing,” see paragraphs (n) and (b). Other Rules require that a client’s consent be obtained in a writing signed by the client. See, e.g., Rules 1.8(a) and (g). For a definition of “signed,” see paragraph (n).
 This definition applies to situations where screening of a personally disqualified lawyer is permitted to remove imputation of a conflict of interest under Rules 1.10, 1.11, 1.12 or 1.18.
State v. Garcia, 108 So. 3d 1, 28 (La. 2012) (citing State v. Connolly, 930 So.2d 951, 954 n.1 (La. 2006); State v. McNeal, 594 So. 2d 876 (La.1992)). However, the court in Garcia suggested that lawyers employed as “independent contractors” are not members of the “firm.” Id. This should be considered a fact-specific holding in the Garcia case and not a general holding. Whether a lawyer is a member of a “firm” should not turn on whether the lawyer is labeled a “partner,” “employee” or “independent contractor.” The analysis should be a functional and practical one, that considers the lawyer’s access to confidential information, and the sharing of information among other lawyers with whom the lawyer is associated in the practice of law.
Fraud is a misrepresentation or a suppression of the truth made with the intention either to obtain an unjust advantage for one party or to cause a loss or inconvenience to the other. Fraud may also result from silence or inaction.
La. Civ. Code Ann. art. 1953.
We decline to find the extent of an attorney’s fiduciary duty depends on the sophistication of the client. To do so would create two classes of clients and implicitly hold that well-educated, business-savvy clients are somehow less deserving of an attorney’s full candor and loyalty. This rule would be directly contrary to the high ethical standards set forth in the Rules of Professional Conduct and repugnant to Louisiana public policy.
Therefore, a Louisiana lawyer should provide full and extensive disclosure in all cases in which the lawyer seeks informed consent—irrespective of the sophistication of the client.

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 art. 1953