Opinion ID: 709202
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Inquiry Obligation

Text: 45 When a district court learns of even the possibility of a conflict of interest, it must inquire into the details of the attorney's interests to determine whether the conflict is actual, potential, or nonexistent. Levy, 25 F.3d at 153; Strouse v. Leonardo, 928 F.2d 548, 555 (2d Cir.1991). Failure to fulfill this obligation constitutes per se reversible error. Levy, 25 F.3d at 153-54. 46 Here, the court clearly met this initial inquiry obligation. After the government notified the court of the potential conflict presented by Langrock's earlier representation of Hill, the court conducted a pretrial hearing to explore the issue. At the hearing, the government highlighted the problems that could arise from Langrock's prior representation of Hill. Langrock then assured the court that he had already discussed those potential conflicts with Lussier and that Lussier, nonetheless, wanted Langrock to continue to represent him. 47 David Gibson, Hill's new attorney, assured the court that he too had discussed the potential conflicts with Hill, and that Hill was willing to waive the attorney/client privilege with respect to his prior communications with Langrock. Thus, the court, fulfilling its initial inquiry obligation, established at least that a possible conflict existed. See id. at 154 (holding that district court met initial inquiry obligation by obtaining representations from counsel concerning possible conflict of interest).