1 Advising or Assisting the Violation of Law Rule 1.3 Diligence Rule 1.4 Communication with Clients Rule 1.4. There are two things: attorney client privilege and attorney client relationship.Read the Atticus disclaimer page. In my experience, patent attorneys refuse to read any "information" from a prospective client prior to forming a relationship. Generally, the attorney-client relationship begins when both parties agree to it. This often happens through a formal engagement letter or contract. The purposes of the Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA or Association) Lawyer Referral. Client Advocates handle complaints and concerns regarding benefits and services, and escalate the complaints to designated authorities for further action. A person who consults with a lawyer about the possibility of forming a clientlawyer relationship with respect to a matter is a prospective client. Contact our office today!