The American Bar Association have published a Discussion Draft of possible amendments to the Model Rules of Professional Conduct. The Standing Committees on Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Professional Regulation have developed this draft to address lawyers’ client due diligence obligations.
The previous two discussion papers have focused on Model Rule 1.2(d) (Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority), however, after reviewing submissions the Committees decided it would be more appropriate to further discuss Model Rule 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation).
The driver behind these discussion papers is the Committees work on anti-money laundering and terrorism financing.