Q: This is regarding a federal agency being hacked.
I am a consultant for a legal firm representing the complaintive agency in one case against suspect foreign cyber Security Company. I represent the same suspect foreign cybersecurity company in a case against the U.S. cybersecurity company. Can I legally represent both companies? If Not what laws or regulations would I break?
A:
Criminal liability in a situation like this might result from defrauding one of the parties- e.g. obtaining something of value (your fees) from them under false pretenses (perhaps that you are not using the confidential info obtained from them in one matter against them in the other matter). Particularly if by agency, you mean a government agency. Civil liability is a possibility as well- breach of various agreements and duties owed to clients. If you were an attorney, being directly adverse to your client in a separate matter would not be kosher under the ethical rules.
It also just seems like a generally risky idea to be both for and against a "suspect foreign cybersecurity company." You might want to pay an attorney to review your situation for you.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
