What must a lawyer advise clients about when representing them jointly?

In a joint representation scenario, it is essential for a lawyer to advise clients that the lawyer cannot share information from one client with the other without proper consent. This stems from the duty of confidentiality maintained in the attorney-client relationship, which dictates that any sensitive information revealed by one client must not be disclosed to the other without explicit agreement.

This principle is crucial because even when clients are jointly represented, they may have separate interests, and it is the lawyer's role to uphold each client’s right to privacy and confidentiality concerning their individual communications. The lawyer must also clarify that the joint representation does not equate to a waiver of confidentiality obligations; rather, the lawyer has an ethical responsibility to protect each client's interests.

This understanding fosters trust among clients and assures them that their private matters will remain confidential, thus allowing for open and honest communication with their lawyer. Knowledge of these boundaries helps clients navigate their decisions and interactions more effectively during the course of joint representation.