As lawyers rush to claim a stake in the Metaverse, it's vital to consider how the Rules of Professional Conduct will apply. Is it a virtual Wild West, with little or no jurisprudence to guide its players? Or is it the next iteration of the internet where competing avatars understand the legal and ethical norms of a thriving commercial wonderland?

This two-part article addresses fundamental ethical norms lawyers must consider when practicing in the Metaverse, primarily through the lens of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, and suggests areas of possible change for this new environment. In Part I, we focus on the lawyer-client relationship. Part II will concern itself with the ethical rules that apply to law firms and associations as well as the advertising of legal services.