In aid of beating the heat (or whatever other summer phenomenon has assailed us), we thought it would be refreshing to review a few recent New York ethics opinions (we recognize one has nothing to do with the other, but it seemed like a good opening). The New York State Bar Association Committee on Professional Ethics (the Committee), which provides a valuable service to New York lawyers (and clients) by giving guidance to practitioners on ethical issues, has issued a number of ethics opinions in the past six months, a few of which will be discussed here.

Can Client Confidential Information Be Shared With the Entity Funding the Representation?

The Committee was faced with this question in New York Formal Ethics Opinion 1266 (June 14, 2024) (Disclosing Confidential Information to Government Agency that is Funding a Client’s Representation).