What must a lawyer do if they believe that a violation will cause injury to the organization they represent?

When a lawyer believes that a violation may cause injury to the organization they represent, the appropriate course of action is to reveal information that is necessary to prevent such harm. The Model Rules of Professional Conduct recognize the importance of upholding the integrity and interests of the organization over strict confidentiality when potential harm is identified.

This obligation arises from the lawyer's role as an advocate for the organization, which includes acting in its best interests and protecting it from foreseeable harm. The duty to act effectively means that if a lawyer has knowledge of a violation—especially one that poses a significant risk of injury to the organization—they may need to disclose that information to appropriate personnel within the organization.

While confidentiality is a critical aspect of the attorney-client relationship, this rule includes provisions allowing for disclosures when the lawyer believes it necessary to prevent substantial injury to the organization. Hence, revealing information becomes essential in situations where the organization's well-being is at stake, aligning with the lawyer's ethical responsibilities.

In this context, referring the matter to the lowest authority or ignoring the violation would not adequately address the potential for injury, and refraining from revealing information entirely contradicts the lawyer's duty to act in the best interests of their organization when harm is foreseeable.