Don’t ‘Reply All’ If Client of Opposing Counsel CC’ed, Bar Says

Attorneys who get an email from opposing counsel with that counsel’s client cc’ed shouldn’t hit “reply all” because this likely violates professional ethics rules, the Illinois State Bar Association recently advised.

Such a reply is deemed a communication with a person represented by counsel in a matter, which is prohibited unless the sending lawyer consents, according to the bar ethics committee’s opinion.

The opinion, which was approved in October and recently published, stemmed from questions posed by a lawyer representing condominium associations. The lawyer had said they sometimes copy the association board president when communicating via email with opposing counsel ...