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At first the question seems simple: Who is the client? The client is the person who comes to my office, pays me a fee, and gets my advice, representation, and confidentiality in return. If only it were so easy. Unfortunately, it's sometimes hard to determine the identity of the person you are representing - but nothing could be more important. The identity of the client has implications for duty, confidentiality, and liability. The short articles that follow will explore how the identity of your client makes a huge difference in various areas of law.
Let's take the case of the officers and directors of a small business or nonprofit corporation. When you represent Jo, the owner of Jo's Bar and Grill, Inc., you probably discuss Jo's business licenses, dram shop liability, and perhaps employee relations. You may also draft wills forjo and his wife, discuss Jo's marital relationship, and perhaps even represent Jo in a personal injury action. Maybe Jo's son, Jo Jr., gets involved in a small criminal matter. As...