Attorneys Must Self-Report Errors to Current Clients

A lawyer who commits a material error in the representation of a current client is ethically obligated to disclose that error to the client.

According to the ABA Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility’s Formal Opinion 481, Rule 1.4 of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct does not permit a lawyer to conceal a mistake from a client and simply hope for the best. Rather, the ethical lawyer must “self-report” a material mistake to a current client and deal with the consequences that may result.