Representing clients who have more familiarity with the law and complex business issues is often a different experience than that of representing a client who is wholly unfamiliar with the law. Such sophisticated clients may wish to be more involved in the day-to-day decisions of their matter, or alternatively might not need as much hand-holding or explaining from their lawyers as other clients.

This difference raises a question—does a lawyer’s duty or the standard of care change in any way when representing a so-called sophisticated client? There are areas where courts will make this inquiry, such as in looking at conflict waivers and other parts of the lawyer-client engagement process. In addition, some courts also take into account a client’s sophistication when addressing disputes between the client and their lawyer.

A Client’s Sophistication May Play a Role at the Representation’s Start

This content has been archived. It is available through our partners, LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law.

To view this content, please continue to their sites.

Not a Lexis Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Why am I seeing this?

LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information.

For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]