What obligation does an attorney have toward client communication?

An attorney has a fundamental obligation to keep the client informed and to respond to communications throughout the course of their representation. This duty is rooted in the principle of communication within the attorney-client relationship, which fosters trust and ensures that clients are aware of the developments in their cases. Keeping clients informed allows them to make informed decisions about their legal matters and understand the progress of their case.

An attorney must not only respond to communications but also proactively update clients about significant developments, potential issues, and strategies related to their cases. This open line of communication is essential for maintaining a strong and effective attorney-client relationship, ensuring that the client's needs and expectations are met.

The other answer choices, while they touch on aspects of client communication, either restrict the attorney's obligations or do not fully encompass the comprehensive duty that attorneys have to keep clients informed. For instance, only responding to urgent messages undermines the thorough communication required for effective representation. Providing legal updates solely upon request fails to recognize an attorney's responsibility to keep clients updated without prompting. Limiting discussions to case outcomes ignores the broader scope of information that clients should be informed about during their legal representation.