Which rule governs conflicts of interest under the California Rules of Professional Conduct?

The rule that governs conflicts of interest under the California Rules of Professional Conduct is Rule 1.7. This rule specifically addresses the concept of conflicts of interest related to current clients. It outlines the scenarios in which a lawyer may face a conflict due to representing different clients simultaneously or when the representation of one client may be materially limited by the lawyer's responsibilities to another client, a former client, or by the lawyer's own interests.

The provision emphasizes the necessity for attorneys to assess whether such conflicts exist and to ensure that clients are informed about these issues. It also sets forth the requirement for obtaining informed written consent from the affected clients if a conflict is identified and the lawyer wishes to proceed. This focus on transparency and client autonomy is central to the management of conflicts in professional practice.

In contrast, Rule 1.6 deals with the confidentiality of information related to client representation, Rule 1.9 addresses duties to former clients and potential conflicts arising from past representations, and Rule 1.10 pertains to the sharing of conflicts among lawyers in a firm. Each of these rules plays a role in the larger framework of professional responsibility but does not specifically govern current client conflicts as Rule 1.7 does.