Under Rule 1.2, which statement about client decisions is correct?

Under Rule 1.2, which statement about client decisions is correct?

• A. The lawyer must abide by the client's decisions concerning objectives of representation.
• B. The lawyer may disregard client decisions if they are impractical.
• C. The lawyer should decide the means without client input.
• D. The lawyer may set the client's objectives independently.

Answer: (A)

Under Rule 1.2, the client controls the objectives of the representation, while the lawyer handles the means and must consult with the client on how to pursue those objectives. This makes the statement that the lawyer must abide by the client's decisions concerning objectives correct. The lawyer’s role is to provide legal advice and implement strategies to achieve those objectives, not to set or change them unilaterally. Disregarding client decisions because they seem impractical, deciding the means without client input, or independently setting the client's objectives would all overstep the lawyer’s role and violate the rule.

Under Rule 1.2, the client controls the objectives of the representation, while the lawyer handles the means and must consult with the client on how to pursue those objectives. This makes the statement that the lawyer must abide by the client's decisions concerning objectives correct. The lawyer’s role is to provide legal advice and implement strategies to achieve those objectives, not to set or change them unilaterally. Disregarding client decisions because they seem impractical, deciding the means without client input, or independently setting the client's objectives would all overstep the lawyer’s role and violate the rule.