contestada

An attorney represented a company on transactional matters. After the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) advised the company that it was the subject of an investigation, the company asked the attorney if the attorney would represent it in the SEC investigation. The attorney declined to do so and the company retained other counsel. Nonetheless, from time to time, the company's representatives asked the attorney legal questions about the SEC investigation and the attorney provided off-the-cuff answers. Does the attorney have a lawyer-client relationship with the company for purposes of the SEC investigation?

a. Yes, because the attorney answered the company's legal questions when the attorney knew or reasonably should have known that the company would reasonably rely on the attorney's answers.
b. Yes, because the attorney previously represented company in its transactional work.
c. No, because the attorney declined to represent company in the SEC investigation.
d. No, because the company did not pay the attorney to represent it in the SEC matter.

Respuesta :

Answer: a. Yes, because the attorney answered the company's legal questions when the attorney knew or reasonably should have known that the company would reasonably rely on the attorney's answers.

Explanation:

The company attorney has changed because the attorney declined to  conduction the investigation. But the company representatives may ask the attorney the legal questions as the attorney is knowledgeable in legal matters and the attorney must provide the answers because the attorneys actions should be sufficient and informative to retain the lawyer-client relationship although the attorney may not participate in a particular project or investigation she/he is liable to give information. The company would also rely on the attorney's answers.