92-1.

• Case Date: January 17, 1992
• Court: Alaska

Alaska Ethics Opinion 1992. 92-1. Ethics Opinion No. 92-1 Failure to Disclose Representation by Class Counsel.The Committee has been asked by Bar Counsel whether it is proper for an attorney to solicit clients in a class action without disclosing to the potential clients that they are members of a class represented by class counsel. As the Committee understands the facts involved in this matter, the potential clients were members of a certified class in a large, multi-party class action. These individuals were contacted by an attorney during the "opt-out" period after class certification, and entered into contingent fee agreements with the attorney for representation in the case as "individual" plaintiffs. The attorney not disclose to the clients that they were members of a class certified by the Superior Court, nor did the attorney disclose that the Superior Court had already approved representation of their class by another law firm. During the "opt-out" period, class members may withdraw from the class and hire individual counsel. Civil Rule 23(c)(2). The decision on "opting-out" is important, and a class member may decide to seek legal advice from independent counsel before deciding one way or the other. The class member may want an opinion from an attorney other than class counsel, may not understand the options, may want to consult his or her usual attorney, or may be cautious about representation by class counsel for other reasons. (endnote 1) Given the class members' important interests in making a fully informed decision on "opting-out," the Committee firmly believes that an attorney contacted by a class member about individual representation in a class action must disclose the option of representation by class counsel with the prospective client. The attorney must fully and candidly discuss the benefits and drawbacks of class representation as compared to those of proceeding independently. Comment, Model Rule 2.1, "Advisor," ABA Annotated Rules of Professional Conduct, (1984 ed.) at 187 ("A client is entitled to straightforward advice expressing the lawyer's honest assessment"). The attorney's interests in obtaining a new client cannot override the obligation to fully disclose the merits of representation by class counsel. See EC 5-1 ("The professional judgment of a lawyer should be exercised, within the bounds...