Can one lawyer represent both the driver and the passenger from the same car accident?

Plain-English summary

A member asked whether an attorney must avoid representing both a passenger and a driver suing a third-party driver for injuries from an auto accident. The committee works through five fact patterns, concluding that whether a conflict exists, and whether it can be waived, must be decided case by case under Rule 4-1.7.

The opinion anchors the analysis in Rule 4-1.7(a) (no representation directly adverse to another client absent reasonable belief and consent), Rule 4-1.7(b) (no representation materially limited by other responsibilities absent the same), and Rule 4-1.7(c) (the consultation must explain the implications, advantages, and risks of common representation). It relies on The Florida Bar v. Mastrilli, holding one attorney cannot represent both driver and passenger where the passenger is pursuing a negligence claim against the driver, and on State Farm Mutual Ins. Co. v. K.A.W. The committee gives a working test: the attorney should view the situation as if representing the passenger alone, and if the attorney would then sue the driver, the attorney generally cannot represent both. Where no actual or potential claim runs against the driver and coverage is sufficient, one attorney may represent all parties; where coverage is insufficient, only with knowing consent and agreement on distribution, with independent advice advisable. Where the third party makes an objectively supported comparative-fault claim against the driver, or evidence shows driver fault, a Rule 4-1.7(a) conflict exists and joint representation is barred (in some scenarios even with consent). A narrow exception applies where driver and passenger are family and the driver is uninsured or judgment-proof such that an independent attorney would not sue the driver, in which case knowing written consents (and guardians for minors) are appropriate, drawing on Oregon Opinion 2000-158 and Texas Opinion 500.

The opinion also addresses representation that has already begun: if discovery reveals a non-waivable conflict, the attorney may have to withdraw from representing both under Rules 4-1.7(a) and 4-1.16(a) and (d). It notes that under Dean v. Dean and Garner v. Somberg, even brief meetings can create an attorney-client relationship where the person reasonably believed he was consulting a lawyer for advice. On withdrawal, the attorney cannot take a referral fee for sending a former client's case elsewhere (Florida Opinion 89-1), because the conflict bars accepting joint responsibility under Rule 4-1.5(f)(4)(D) and Chandris v. Yanakakis.

In practice

Under the Florida rules as they stood at the time of this 2002 opinion, the opinion holds the question is fact-specific and supplies a usable screen: imagine representing the passenger alone, and if that lawyer would sue the driver, one lawyer generally cannot represent both. Per the opinion, joint representation is permissible where no real claim runs against the driver (with consent and a distribution agreement where coverage is short), and is barred where objective evidence supports a claim against the driver, in some scenarios regardless of consent. The opinion treats family/judgment-proof-driver situations as a narrow exception requiring knowing written waivers, and directs withdrawal from both clients under Rule 4-1.16 when a non-waivable conflict surfaces, with no referral fee permitted on the way out.

Common questions

Q: Can I represent both the driver and the passenger in a suit against the other car?

A: Per the opinion, yes where the passenger has no actual or potential claim against the driver and coverage is sufficient; if coverage is insufficient, only with knowing consent and agreement on distributing the recovery.

Q: How do I know if there is a conflict between them?

A: The opinion offers a test: view the matter as if representing the passenger alone, and if you would sue the driver, you generally cannot represent both.

Q: Is there any exception when the driver is at fault?

A: A narrow one. The opinion allows joint representation where driver and passenger are family and the driver is uninsured or judgment-proof such that an independent attorney would not find it worthwhile to sue the driver, with knowing written consents and guardians for any minors.

Q: What if the conflict only becomes clear after I have taken on both clients?

A: The opinion concludes the attorney may have to withdraw from representing both under Rules 4-1.7(a) and 4-1.16(a) and (d), and cannot take a referral fee for sending the case to new counsel.

Background and rules framework

The opinion interprets Rule 4-1.7 (conflict of interest, current and joint clients, Model Rule 1.7), Rule 4-1.9 (duties to former clients, Model Rule 1.9), Rule 4-1.16 (declining or terminating representation, Model Rule 1.16), and Rule 4-1.5(f)(4)(D) (division of contingent fees and joint responsibility, Model Rule 1.5) of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar.

Citations and references

Rules of Professional Conduct:

• Model Rule 1.7 / Fla. Rule 4-1.7 (conflict of interest)
• Model Rule 1.9 / Fla. Rule 4-1.9 (duties to former clients)
• Model Rule 1.16 / Fla. Rule 4-1.16(a), (d) (withdrawal)
• Model Rule 1.5 / Fla. Rule 4-1.5(f)(4)(D) (contingent-fee division and joint responsibility)

Cases:

• The Florida Bar v. Mastrilli, 614 So. 2d 1081 (Fla. 1993), one attorney cannot represent both driver and passenger where the passenger has a claim against the driver
• State Farm Mutual Ins. Co. v. K.A.W., 575 So. 2d 630 (Fla. 1991), firm disqualified from later representing passengers against the driver
• Dean v. Dean, 607 So. 2d 494 (Fla. 4th DCA 1992); Garner v. Somberg, 672 So. 2d 852 (Fla. 3d DCA 1996), when an attorney-client relationship forms
• Chandris v. Yanakakis, 668 So. 2d 180 (Fla. 1995); Ard v. Ard, 414 So. 2d 1066 (Fla. 1982)

Statutes:

• Fla. Stat. section 768.81 (1999) (comparative fault)

Other opinions cited:

• Fla. Ethics Ops. 73-2, 89-1, 95-4; Oregon Op. 2000-158; Texas Op. 500

See also

• CA Ethics Op. 2014-191: Concurrent Representation of Debtor and Creditor
• CA Ethics Op. 1999-153: Joint Representation of Corporation and Shareholder
• Florida Bar Op. 02-6: Disputed Real Estate Escrow Deposit

Source

• Landing page: https://www.floridabar.org/etopinions/etopinion-02-3/
• Original PDF: https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2017/04/FL-Bar-Ethics-Op-02-3.pdf

Original opinion text

Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.

FLORIDA BAR ETHICS OPINION
OPINION 02-3
June 21, 2002
Advisory ethics opinions are not binding.
The Professional Ethics Committee discusses various situations involving representation
of both driver and passenger(s) in a car accident, determining that whether or not a conflict of
interests exists and whether or not a conflict may be waived, must be done on a case-by-case
basis.
RPC: 4-1.5(f)(4)(D)(i) and (ii), 4-1.7, 4-1.7(a), 4-1.7(a)(1) and (2), 4-1.7(b), 4-1.7(b)(1)
and (2), 4-1.7(c), 4-1.9, 4-1.9(a) and (b), 4-1.16(a) and (d)
Opinions: 73-2, 89-1, 95-4, Oregon Ethics Opinion 2000-158, Texas Ethics Opinion 500
Cases: State Farm Mutual Ins. Co. v. K.A.W., 575 So.2d 630 (Fla. 1991); The Florida
Bar v. Mastrilli, 614 So.2d 1081 (1993); Dean v. Dean, 607 So.2d 494 (Fla. 4th
DCA 1992), rev. dismissed, 618 So.2d 208 (Fla.1993); Chandris v. Yanakakis,
668 So.2d 180 (Fla. 1995), Ard v. Ard, 414 So.2d 1066 (Fla. 1982), Garner v.
Somberg, 672 So.2d 852 (Fla. 3d DCA 1996)
Statute: F.S. § 768.81 (1999)
The Committee has recently received an inquiry from a Florida Bar member regarding
whether an attorney need avoid representation due to a conflict when the attorney is asked to
represent both passenger and driver in a suit for negligence/property damage against a third party
driver in an auto accident. This is an issue that arises in personal injury cases in various fact
situations, including the following:
1. The driver and passenger prospective clients are both injured and liability is
clearly with the third party driver. There are no claims of comparative negligence
or fault against the plaintiff driver.
2. The driver and passenger prospective clients are both injured and liability lies
mostly with the third party driver. However, the third party’s insurance company
is alleging comparative fault by the plaintiff driver.
3. Driver and passenger prospective clients are members of the same family and
both are injured in an auto accident. While the plaintiff driver may have been
partly at fault, the driver was uninsured and has no assets to satisfy an adverse
judgment.
4. The driver and passenger prospective clients are both injured and evidence
shows that the plaintiff driver was definitely at fault as well as the third party
driver of the other vehicle.
5. The driver and passengers, who are members of the same immediate family,
are all injured and the third party tortfeasor is claiming some fault on the part of
the driver. The driver is the wife/mother of the passengers. Her liability policy

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has denied coverage for the other family members due to a “family exclusion”
clause in the policy; she has no significant assets.
Regarding multiple representation of clients, Rule 4-1.7, Florida Rules of Professional
Conduct, provides:
(a) Representing Adverse Interests. A lawyer shall not represent a client if the
representation of that client will be directly adverse to the interests of another
client, unless:
(1) the lawyer reasonably believes the representation will not adversely
affect the lawyer’s responsibilities to and relationship with the other client; and
(2) each client consents after consultation.
(b) Duty to Avoid Limitation on Independent Professional Judgment. A
lawyer shall not represent a client if the lawyer’s exercise of independent
professional judgment in the representation of that client may be materially
limited by the lawyer’s responsibilities to another client or to a third person or by
the lawyer’s own interest, unless:
(1) the lawyer reasonably believes the representation will not be adversely
affected; and
(2) the client consents after consultation.
Rule 4-1.7(c), Florida Rules of Professional Conduct, continues:
(c) Explanation to Clients. When representation of multiple clients in a single
matter is undertaken, the consultation shall include explanation of the
implications of the common representation and the advantages and risks involved.
The Florida Rules of Professional Conduct, ethics opinions and opinions of Florida courts
provide guidance in these matters. The Florida Supreme Court has issued an opinion specifically
dealing with ethical issues involved in representing both driver and passenger(s) in an auto
accident. The Court held in The Florida Bar v. Mastrilli, 614 So.2d 1081 (Fla. 1993), that one
attorney could not simultaneously represent both driver and passenger in an auto accident where
the passenger is pursuing a claim for negligence against the driver. Dual representation in these
circumstances would violate Rule 4-1.7(a), supra. This decision echoes an earlier Florida Ethics
Opinion 73-2, which reached the same conclusion.
Similarly, the Court held in State Farm Mutual Ins. Co. v. K.A.W., 575 So.2d 630 (Fla.
1991), that a law firm which had represented driver and passengers against third party insurers
and tortfeasors could not later represent the passengers against the driver. The firm was
disqualified due to the strenuous objection of a real party in interest, the insurer, even though the
driver had a new attorney at the time he was sued and had consented to the passengers’ suit. Id.

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Such conflict issues may not be apparent at an initial consultation with prospective
clients. Conflict issues may arise later or be resolved during discovery and litigation. Conflict
issues that arise in personal injury auto accident cases can present various fact situations,
including the following:
Scenario 1
Where there are no actual or potential claims by passengers against the driver of the
vehicle in which the passengers were injured, one attorney can ethically represent all parties as
long as there is sufficient insurance coverage by the third party tortfeasor to cover the injuries of
all injured plaintiffs. If there is not sufficient funding to cover the injuries of all the plaintiffs,
one attorney may represent all the parties, with their knowing consent and waiver of conflict,
only if all the plaintiffs are able to agree regarding the distribution of benefits/recovery among
themselves. Rule 4-1.7(a)(1) and (2), Florida Rules of Professional Conduct.
Individual representation of each of the plaintiffs is advisable to determine the
apportionment of benefits obtained from the third party tortfeasor. If each plaintiff is advised
independently, this assures that waivers of conflict are knowing and informed as required by
Rule 4-1.7(a)(1) and (2). The parties may agree among themselves to submit to intra-familial
arbitration with an independent arbitrator to determine the distribution of benefits on an equitable
basis. Independent guardians appointed to represent injured minors can be useful in this regard.
The lawyer representing all the claimants as plaintiffs cannot be involved in determining the
distribution of the recovery among the various plaintiffs.
Scenario 2
Where the third party tortfeasor is making a claim against the driver of a vehicle in which
passengers were injured, and this claim is based upon valid objective evidence, one attorney
cannot represent both driver and passenger(s). Similarly, in a one car accident, where there is
evidence of negligence by the driver, one attorney cannot represent both driver and passenger(s).
A conflict exists under Rule 4-1.7(a) and (b), Florida Rules of Professional Conduct; Ethics
Opinion 73-2; The Florida Bar v. Mastrilli, supra.
As noted in the Comment to Rule 4-1.7, “when a disinterested lawyer would conclude
that the client should not agree to the representation under the circumstances, the lawyer
involved cannot properly ask for such agreement or provide representation on the basis of the
client’s consent.” In determining whether a conflict exists, the attorney should look at the
situation as if he or she were representing the passenger(s) alone. If, in that situation, the
attorney would sue the driver, then in most circumstances, the attorney cannot represent both
driver and passenger(s).1
Scenario 3
1 Florida law allows suits by one spouse against the other spouse to the extent of insurance
coverage. Ard v. Ard, 414 So.2d 1066 (Fla. 1982).

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Typically, the only exception to the conclusion in Scenario 2 would be when passenger
and driver are members of the same family and the driver is uninsured or otherwise judgment
proof. Comparative fault precepts may come into play. Fla. Stat. Sec. 768.81 (1999). Where a
conflict of interest exists under Rule 4-1.7, lawyers must be very cautious in undertaking
multiple representation. The Florida Bar v. Mastrilli, supra. The situation must be one in which
an independent attorney would determine that it is not worthwhile or appropriate to sue the
driver because there is no legal or economic basis for a claim under the circumstances.
Comment to Rule 4-1.7. The same conclusion would be reached if the third party tortfeasor’s
claim against the driver is bogus and without substantiation in fact. As set forth in Oregon Ethics
Opinion 2000-158:
There may be situations in which allegations of contributory negligence do not
create an actual conflict. The passengers may disagree with the adverse driver’s
factual contentions. If the driver and the passengers are closely related, the
passengers may not wish to pursue intra-family claims. Assuming that these
decisions not to pursue claims are made voluntarily and without influence arising
from the lawyer’s obligations to the driver, there is no actual conflict between the
clients.
Again, knowing consents and waivers must be obtained from all parties in these
circumstances. It may be the better practice for these consents to be obtained in writing and for
the parties to be given the opportunity to consult with independent counsel before waiving an
actual conflict.
Scenario 4
Where the driver and passengers are all injured, but evidence shows that the plaintiff
driver was partly at fault or at least a substantial question is raised as to the fault of the plaintiff
driver under objectively valid evidence obtained, such that an independent attorney would advise
the passenger to sue the driver, there exists a Rule 4-1.7(a) conflict between the passengers and
driver. Under these circumstances one attorney cannot represent both driver and passengers,
even with the consent of the clients involved. Rule 4-1.7(a) and Comment; Mastrilli, supra.;
Texas Ethics Opinion 500, Oregon Ethics Opinion 2000-158. The same result may obtain if the
driver were a former client of the attorney representing the passengers in the accident. Rule 4-
1.9(a) and (b), Florida Rules of Professional Conduct.
Scenario 5
When passenger and driver are members of the same family and the driver is
underinsured, uninsured or otherwise judgment proof, one attorney can represent all parties
against the driver’s uninsured/underinsured motorist policy and against the tortfeasor if the
situation is such that an independent attorney would determine that it is not worthwhile or
appropriate to sue the driver because there is no legal or economic basis for a claim under the
circumstances. Comment to Rule 4-1.7. The same result would obtain if the tortfeasor’s claim
against the driver is bogus and without substantiation in fact. Oregon Ethics Opinion 2000-158,
supra. Knowing consents and waivers must be obtained from all parties in these circumstances.
The attorney for the passengers may wish to have independent guardians appointed for any

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minor children to make sure that their interests are properly and independently represented in
these circumstances. All parties, including the guardians for any minor passengers, should be
given the opportunity to consult with independent counsel before waiving an actual conflict.
When conflict determinative facts do not come to light until after an attorney has already
begun to represent both driver and passengers, remedial measures may be required. If discovery
reveals, for example, that a non-waivable conflict exists between co-clients, the attorney may be
required to withdraw from representation of both driver and passengers because of the direct
conflict between them. Rule 4-1.7(a); Rule 4-1.16(a) and (d), Florida Rules of Professional
Conduct; Florida Ethics Opinion 95-4. Even if the attorney had only brief meetings with both
driver and passengers, representation may be deemed to have begun under pertinent caselaw. In
Florida, a prospective client’s subjective belief that his or her meeting with an attorney (in person
or by telephone) was a meeting seeking and receiving legal advice, may create an attorney client
relationship, if the client’s belief was reasonable. Dean v. Dean, 607 So.2d 494 (Fla. 4th DCA
1992), review dismissed, 618 So.2d 208 (Fla.1993). The test is not whether a fee was paid or an
engagement agreement signed, but whether the client reasonably believed that he or she was
consulting an attorney seeking legal advice. Garner v. Somberg, 672 So.2d 852 (Fla. 3d DCA
1996).
Summary
In each of the factual situations set forth above, if the attorney determines that a conflict
exists, the attorneys must follow Rule 4-1.16(a) and (d), Florida Rules of Professional Conduct,
withdraw from the representation and protect the clients during the withdrawal process by
providing them with copies of necessary documents and, if needed, obtaining extensions of time
for them to find new counsel. Where an attorney withdraws from representing either driver,
passenger, or both because of a conflict, the attorney cannot take a referral fee for referring the
former client’s case to another lawyer. Florida Ethics Opinion 89-1. The conflict would prohibit
the attorney’s acceptance of joint responsibility for the representation as required by Rule 4-
1.5(f)(4)(D)(i) and (ii), Florida Rules of Professional Conduct, and Chandris v. Yanakakis, 668
So.2d 180 (Fla. 1995).
As shown in the varying fact situations set forth above, each case must be dealt with on
its own facts, following the guidelines set forth in Rules 4-1.7 and 4-1.9, Florida Rules of
Professional Conduct and the above cited decisions.