Which rule addresses the responsibilities of lawyers regarding conflicts of interest?

The correct choice regarding the responsibilities of lawyers in relation to conflicts of interest is Rule 1.7. This rule specifically addresses a lawyer's duty to avoid conflicts of interest with current clients. It establishes that a lawyer must not represent a client if the representation involves a concurrent conflict of interest, which exists when the lawyer's representation of one client is directly adverse to another client, or when there is a significant risk that the representation of one or more clients will be materially limited by the lawyer's responsibilities to another client or by a personal interest of the lawyer.

Understanding this rule is essential for maintaining ethical standards in legal practice, as conflicts of interest can severely undermine the attorney-client relationship and the integrity of the legal profession. Lawyers must conduct a thorough conflict check and determine whether their current engagements could compromise their loyalty to any client. If a conflict exists, the lawyer generally must either withdraw from the representation or seek informed consent from all affected clients after full disclosure of the implications of the conflicting interests.

While other rules also relate to different aspects of conflicts of interest—such as Rule 1.8, which addresses specific transactions with clients and Rule 1.10, concerning the disqualification of a lawyer from representation due to conflicts arising from former clients—Rule