[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 32, Volume 5]
[Revised as of July 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 32CFR776.21]

[Page 514]
 
                       TITLE 32--NATIONAL DEFENSE
 
                   CHAPTER VI--DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
 
PART 776_PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT OF ATTORNEYS PRACTICING UNDER THE 
 
                 Subpart B_Rules of Professional Conduct
 
Sec. 776.21  Establishment and scope of representation.

    (a) Establishment and scope of representation: (1) Formation of 
attorney-client relationships by covered USG attorneys with, and 
representation of, clients is permissible only when the attorney is 
authorized to do so by competent authority. Military Rule of Evidence 
502, the Manual of the Judge Advocate General (JAG Instruction 5800.7 
(series)), and the Naval Legal Service Office and Trial Service Office 
Manual, define when an attorney-client relationship is formed between a 
covered USG attorney and a client servicemember, dependent, or employee.
    (2) Generally, the subject matter scope of a covered attorney's 
representation will be consistent with the terms of the assignment to 
perform specific representational or advisory duties. A covered attorney 
shall inform clients at the earliest opportunity of any limitations on 
representation and professional responsibilities of the attorney towards 
the client.
    (3) A covered attorney shall follow the client's well-informed and 
lawful decisions concerning case objectives, choice of counsel, forum, 
pleas, whether to testify, and settlements.
    (4) A covered attorney's representation of a client does not 
constitute an endorsement of the client's political, economic, social, 
or moral views or activities.
    (5) A covered attorney shall not counsel or assist a client to 
engage in conduct that the attorney knows is criminal or fraudulent, but 
a covered attorney may discuss the legal and moral consequences of any 
proposed course of conduct with a client, and may counsel or assist a 
client in making a good faith effort to determine the validity, scope, 
meaning, or application of the law.
    (b) [Reserved]