Which of the following is true regarding a lawyer's disclosure of legal authority in a case?

The requirement that a lawyer must disclose legal authority directly adverse to their client is rooted in the duty of candor towards the tribunal, which is emphasized in Model Rule 3.3. This rule mandates that a lawyer must not make false statements of material fact or law to a tribunal, nor can they fail to disclose legal authority that is directly adverse to their position.

When a legal authority is pertinent to the tribunal's consideration and is not beneficial to the client’s case, the lawyer has an ethical obligation to disclose it. This promotes integrity in the legal process and ensures that courts have all relevant information to make informed decisions.

Moreover, this obligation to disclose applies regardless of whether the opposing counsel is aware of the adverse authority. It serves to uphold the justice system's integrity by ensuring that all pertinent facts and laws are presented to the tribunal, thus maintaining a fair process for all parties involved.

In contrast, withholding legal authority that undermines a client's position or submitting it after a ruling would contradict this duty, potentially misrepresenting the situation to the tribunal.