An attorney defended a tobacco company in numerous suits brought by the survivors of those who allegedly died from second-hand smoke. the attorney argued on behalf of the company that second-hand smoke did not pose significant health risks for the plaintiffs in the cases. a law school classmate who learns about this representation calls up the attorney and chastises the attorney for endorsing the tobacco company’s view that second-hand smoke was not a significant health risk. the attorney responded that classmate should not criticize the attorney for the arguments made in the course of this representation because the rules of professional conduct state that client’s views and conduct should not be ascribed to the client’s lawyers. is the attorney correct?
a. yes, because a lawyer’s representation of a client does not constitute an endorsement of the client’s political, economic, social or moral views or activities. b. no, because outside of the context of court appointments, lawyers in private practice have significant freedom to decide which clients they accept and it is therefore appropriate to hold lawyers accountable for the views of the clients whom they choose to represent.