You have a longstanding client who owns several apartment buildings located in the city where you are a partner at a respected paralegal firm. Because of the large number of tenants who live in these buildings, your client is frequently requires representation at the Landlord Tennant Board regarding tenant disputes. One day while you are chatting with another paralegal who is an associate at your firm, they advise you of a new client they recently met with who lives in a building you recognize is owned by your longstanding client. Based on the provided information, which of the following statements with regard to managing conflicts of interest is TRUE?
(a) There is no conflict of interest if your associate only provides legal services to the tenant and not the owner of the buildings
(b) There is no conflict of interest if you take over tenant’s matter and represent both the tenant and the owners of the buildings because you are a partner in the firm and not an associate
(c) There is a potential conflict of interest but you need more information on the nature of the tenant’s legal issue to determine if a conflict of interest exists
(d) There is a conflict of interest because there is a connection between the tenant and the owner of the building, regardless of the nature of the legal issue the tenant has retained your firm for
Authority: Text pp. 146, 148; Paralegal Rules of Conduct Rule 3.04; Paralegal Professional Conduct Guidelines Guideline 9