Previous Rules
Rules of Professional Conduct
Rule 3-510 Communication of Settlement Offer
(A) A member shall promptly communicate to the member's client:
(1) All terms and conditions of any offer made to the client in a criminal matter; and
(2) All amounts, terms, and conditions of any written offer of settlement made to the client in all other matters.
(B) As used in this rule, "client" includes a person who possesses the authority to accept an offer of settlement or plea, or, in a class action, all the named representatives of the class.
Discussion:
Rule 3-510 is intended to require that counsel in a criminal matter convey all offers, whether written or oral, to the client, as give and take negotiations are less common in criminal matters, and, even were they to occur, such negotiations should require the participation of the accused.
Any oral offers of settlement made to the client in a civil matter should also be communicated if they are "significant" for the purposes of rule 3-500.
