AMENDMENT OF RULE
Rules of Professional Conduct
The Appellate Divisions of the Supreme Court, pursuant to the authority vested in them, do hereby amend, effective immediately, section 1200.48 of Title 22 of the Official Compilations of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (Rules of Professional Conduct) with respect to law reform activities affecting client interests, as follows:
AFFECTING CLIENT INTERESTS
A lawyer may serve as a director, officer or member of an organization involved in reform of the law or its administration, notwithstanding that the reform may affect the interests of a client of the lawyer. When the lawyer knows that the interest of a client may be materially benefitted by a decision in which the lawyer actively participates, the lawyer shall disclose that fact to the organization, but need not identify the client. [When the lawyer knows that the interests of a client may be adversely affected by a decision in which the lawyer actively participates, the lawyer shall disclose that fact to the client.] In determining the nature and scope of participation in such activities, a lawyer should be mindful of obligations to clients under other Rules, particularly Rule 1.7.
