New Jersey Jurisprudence Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Resource

A conflict of interest for a lawyer under New Jersey law primarily arises when a lawyer's representation of one client may adversely affect another client's interests. This situation highlights the imperative of loyalty and undivided commitment a lawyer must have towards their client. The law mandates that lawyers must avoid situations where their obligations to one client might compromise their ability to effectively represent another client, especially if the interests of those clients are directly opposing.

For instance, if a lawyer is representing a client in a matter related to commercial litigation, and simultaneously has other clients whose interests are in conflict with that litigation, the lawyer could be placed in a position where they cannot act impartially for both. This could lead to a breach of the duty of loyalty, which is a cornerstone of legal ethics in New Jersey.

The other options present scenarios that do not inherently create a conflict of interest as defined by the applicable ethical rules. Representing only one client at a time does not lead to conflict as there are no competing interests involved. Working with multiple clients in the same case is not problematic unless their interests directly conflict. Similarly, having only two clients does not automatically create a conflict; it depends on their specific interests and how they may relate to each other. Hence, identifying situations where a lawyer