Opinion ID: 1191846
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Representation of John and Jill Vann

Text: In Count III, the board found that Quiat violated DR 5-105(A) and DR 5-105(B) by undertaking and continuing to represent both John and Jill Vann, notwithstanding his disclosures and the consents he obtained, because it is obvious he could not adequately represent the interests of each. In Count IV, the hearing board found that Quiat again violated DR 5-105(A) and (B) by undertaking the representation of Jill Vann and her children. Quiat asserts that these findings were erroneous because it was not likely that the Vanns' interests were or would become adverse so as to create a conflict in his judgment or loyalty. The hearing board found otherwise, as did the bankruptcy judge. In essence, the board determined that the interests of Jill and John Vann were so adverse, or potentially adverse, that the conflicts could not be waived even had there been full disclosure. DR 5-105(A) provides that [a] lawyer shall decline proffered employment if the exercise of his independent professional judgment in behalf of a client will be or is likely to be affected by the acceptance of the proffered employment, or if it would be likely to involve him in representing differing interests, except to the extent permitted under DR 5-105(C).  (Emphasis added.) DR 5-105(B) states that [a] lawyer shall not continue multiple employment if the exercise of his independent professional judgment in behalf of a client will be or is likely to be adversely affected by his representation of another client, or if it would be likely to involve him in representing different interests, except to the extent permitted under DR 5-105(C).  (Emphasis added.) The exception is contained in DR 5-105(C): In the situations covered by DR 5-105(A) and (B), a lawyer may represent multiple clients if it is obvious that he can adequately represent the interest of each and if each consents to the representation after full disclosure of the possible effect of such representation on the exercise of his independent professional judgment on behalf of each. (Emphasis added.) The board concluded that it was not obvious that Quiat could represent both John and Jill Vann as well as the children. This conclusion is also supported by the testimony of the complainant's expert, Helen Stone. The level of actual animosity between the parties was disputed at the hearing, and the hearing board's finding that it was very nasty is not clearly erroneous. We therefore determine that the hearing board's findings were not erroneous that Quiat violated DR 5-105(A) and (B) with respect to his multiple representation of John and Jill Vann, and their children.