What must a lawyer obtain from clients when representing multiple clients with potentially adverse interests?

When a lawyer represents multiple clients with potentially adverse interests, it is essential for the lawyer to obtain informed consent from all clients involved. This requirement is rooted in the need to maintain ethical standards and ensure that each client is aware of the potential conflicts that may arise from joint representation.

Informed consent means that the lawyer has clearly communicated the risks of representing multiple clients, including how the representation might limit the ability to advocate fully for each client's individual interests. The clients must understand these implications and agree to proceed with the representation.

Establishing informed consent is critical because it protects the attorney-client relationship, helping to ensure that all clients are treated fairly and that their rights and interests are acknowledged. This requirement helps prevent conflicts of interest that could arise during the representation, providing a safeguard for all parties involved.

Other options, while potentially relevant in different legal contexts, do not adequately address the necessity of gaining informed consent when representing multiple clients with conflicting interests. Thus, obtaining informed consent from all clients effectively aligns with professional responsibility and ethical practice in law.