The establishment of the attorney-client relationship involves two elements: a person seeks advice or assistance from an attorney; and the attorney appears to give, agrees to give or gives the advice or assistance.
Communication. Open, honest, and regular communication forms the backbone of an effective attorney-client relationship. Our attorneys ensure they are accessible to clients, providing updates on their cases and being clear about the legal process.
Not really. A California-licensed attorney may be granted temporary permission to practice law in another state for a specific case through pro hac vice admission. Be careful, however, pro hac vice practice has its limitations.
Q: At what point in time does the privilege legally begin? A: Immediately — as soon as those three elements are met (the lawyer-client; private communication, and for purposes of legal advice).
Except when created by court appointment, the attorney-client relationship may be found to exist based on the intent and conduct of the parties and the reasonable expectations of the potential client.
Rule 4.1 Truthfulness in Statements to Others (b) fail to disclose a material fact to a third person when disclosure is necessary to avoid assisting a criminal or fraudulent act by a client, unless disclosure is prohibited by Business and Professions Code section 6068, subdivision (e)(1) or rule 1.6.
Canon 3 – A paralegal may perform any task which is properly delegated and supervised by an attorney, as long as the attorney is ultimately responsible to the client, maintains a direct relationship with the client, and assumes professional responsibility for the work product.
Rule 1.18 - Duties to Prospective Clients (a) A person who consults with a lawyer about the possibility of forming a client-lawyer relationship with respect to a matter is a prospective client.
Canon 1 – A paralegal must not: (a) engage in, encourage, or contribute to any act which could constitute the unauthorized practice of law; (b) establish attorney-client relationships, set fees, give legal opinions or advice, or represent a client before a court or agency unless so authorized by that court or agency; ...
The general rule is a lawyer can only practice law in a state court when they have been admitted to the bar of that state. An exception would be when the attorney is admitted on a pro hac vice basis, where the out-of-state lawyer can practice with an in-state attorney acting as local counsel.