According to the Model Rules, what must a lawyer ensure when providing nonlegal services?

When providing nonlegal services, a lawyer must ensure that those services are distinct from the legal practice. This requirement is rooted in the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which emphasize the importance of clarity regarding the nature of the services being offered. By keeping nonlegal services separate from legal services, lawyers help to prevent any misunderstandings between them and their clients about the nature and scope of the services provided, thereby maintaining transparency and trust in the client-attorney relationship.

The idea is to ensure that clients can differentiate between the legal advice and protections that a lawyer provides and any nonlegal services that may not carry the same legal implications or professional standards. This distinction helps to protect both the client and the lawyer, ensuring that the lawyer’s ethical obligations under the Model Rules are fulfilled and that clients are appropriately informed about the services they are receiving.