What is addressed by Ohio’s RPC 1.10?

Ohio's RPC 1.10 specifically addresses conflicts of interest among lawyers, particularly in the context of law firms. This rule outlines how conflicts arising from the representation of clients are handled when multiple lawyers are in the same firm. It establishes that if one lawyer in a firm has a conflict of interest that prohibits them from representing a client, that conflict is generally imputed to all lawyers in the firm, unless certain exceptions apply.

This regulation is crucial because it ensures that clients' interests are protected across the firm and maintains the integrity of legal representation. It helps to prevent situations where different lawyers in the same firm might inadvertently represent clients with conflicting interests. The rule lays the foundation for understanding when a conflict exists and how it affects the entire legal team, reinforcing the responsibility of lawyers to evaluate potential conflicts before taking on new clients.