An attorney may serve as a director, officer or member of an organization involved in reform of the law or its administration notwithstanding that the reform may affect the interests of a client of the attorney. When the attorney knows that the interests of a client may be materially benefitted by a decision in which the attorney participates, the attorney shall disclose that fact but need not identify the client.

[1] Attorneys involved in organizations seeking law reform generally do not have a client-attorney relationship with the organization. Otherwise, it might follow that an attorney could not be involved in a bar association law reform program that might indirectly affect a client. See also Rule 19-301.2 (b) (1.2). For example, an attorney specializing in antitrust litigation might be regarded as disqualified from participating in drafting revisions of rules governing that subject. In determining the nature and scope of participation in such activities, an attorney should be mindful of obligations to clients under other Rules, particularly Rule 19-301.7 (1.7). An attorney is professionally obligated to protect the integrity of the program by making an appropriate disclosure within the organization when the attorney knows a private client might be materially benefitted.

Model Rules Comparison: Given that the Ethics 2000 Amendments to the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct made no changes to this Rule, Rule 19-306.4 (6.4) has not been amended and remains substantially similar to Model Rule 6.4.