I was at a real estate settlement the other day where I represented the mortgage company. There was a lawyer present who was handling the settlement for the title company. The buyer was unrepresented at the settlement. The buyer didn’t know what they were doing. I provided some advice and assistance. Later someone criticized me for doing so. Can I ethically do that?
Good Samaritan acts don’t always count as ethical conduct in the context of the Rules of Professional Conduct. This comment is not to discourage attorneys from helping other people, but help must be put in the context of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
