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3.7 Lawyer as Witness
(a) A lawyer shall not act as advocate at a tribunal in which the lawyer is likely to be a necessary witness unless:
(1) the testimony relates to an uncontested issue;
(2) the testimony relates to the nature and value of legal services rendered in the case; or
(3) disqualification of the lawyer would work substantial hardship on the client.
(b) A lawyer may act as advocate in a tribunal in which another lawyer in the lawyer?s firm is likely to be called as a witness unless precluded from doing so by Rule 1.7 or Rule 1.9.
COMMENT
[1] Combining the roles of advocate and witness can prejudice the tribunal and the opposing party and can also involve a conflict-of-interest between the lawyer and client.
Advocate-Witness Rule
[2] The tribunal has proper objection when the trier of fact may be confused or misled by a lawyer serving as both advocate and witness. The opposing party has proper objection where the combination of roles may prejudice that party?s rights in the litigation. A witness is required to testify on the basis of personal knowledge, while an advocate is expected to explain and comment on evidence given by others. It may not be clear whether a statement by an advocate-witness should be taken as proof or as an analysis of the proof.
[3] To protect the tribunal, paragraph (a) prohibits a lawyer from simultaneously serving as advocate and necessary witness except in those circumstances specified in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3). Paragraph (a)(1) recognizes that if the testimony will be uncontested, the ambiguities in the dual role are purely theoretical. Paragraph (a)(2) recognizes that where the testimony concerns the extent and value of legal services rendered in the action in which the testimony is offered, permitting the lawyers to testify avoids the need for a second proceeding with new counsel to resolve that issue. Moreover, in such a situation the presiding officer has firsthand knowledge of the matter in issue; hence, there is less dependence on the adversary process to test the credibility of the testimony.
[4] Apart from these two exceptions, paragraph (a)(3) recognizes that a balancing is required between the interests of the client and those of the tribunal and the opposing party. Whether the tribunal is likely to be misled or the opposing party is likely to suffer prejudice depends on whether it is a bench, jury trial, or other proceeding the nature of the case, the importance and probable tenor of the lawyer?s testimony, and the probability that the lawyer?s testimony will conflict with that of other witnesses. Even if there is risk of such prejudice, in determining whether the lawyer should be disqualified, due regard must be given to the effect of disqualification on the lawyer?s client. It is relevant that one or both parties could reasonably foresee that the lawyer would probably be a witness. The conflict-of-interest principles stated in Rules 1.7, 1.9 and 1.10 have no application to this aspect of the problem.
[5] Because the tribunal is not likely to be misled when a lawyer acts as advocate in a proceeding in which another lawyer in the lawyer?s firm will testify as a necessary witness, paragraph (b) permits the lawyer to do so except in situations involving a conflict-of-interest.
Conflict-of-Interest
[6] In determining if it is permissible to act as advocate in a proceeding in which the lawyer will be a necessary witness, the lawyer must also consider that the dual role may give rise to a conflict-of-interest that will require compliance with Rules 1.7 or 1.9. For example, if there is likely to be substantial conflict between the testimony of the client and that of the lawyer the representation involves a conflict-of-interest that requires compliance with Rule 1.7. This would be true even though the lawyer might not be prohibited by paragraph (a) from simultaneously serving as advocate and witness because the lawyer?s disqualification would work a substantial hardship on the client. Similarly, a lawyer who might be permitted to simultaneously serve as an advocate and a witness by paragraph (a)(3) might be precluded from doing so by Rule 1.9. The problem can arise whether the lawyer is called as a witness on behalf of the client or is called by the opposing party. Determining whether or not such a conflict exists is primarily the responsibility of the lawyer involved. If there is a conflict-of-interest, the lawyer must secure the client?s informed consent, confirmed in writing. In some cases, the lawyer will be precluded from seeking the client?s consent. See Rule 1.7. See Rule 1.0(b) for the definition of ?confirmed in writing? and Rule 1.0(e) for the definition of ?informed consent.?
[7] Paragraph (b) provides that a lawyer is not disqualified from serving as an advocate because a lawyer with whom the lawyer is associated in a firm is precluded from doing so by paragraph (a). If, however, the testifying lawyer would also be disqualified by Rule 1.7 or Rule 1.9 from representing the client in the matter, other lawyers in the firm will be precluded from representing the client by Rule 1.10 unless the client gives informed consent under the conditions stated in Rule 1.7.
REPORTER?S NOTES:
Model Rule 3.7 (2002) is substantively in accord with M. Bar R. 3.4(g)(1), but there are some distinctions. Model Rule 3.7 (2002) resolves the conflict between M. Bar R. 3.4(g)(1) and M. Bar R. 3.5. Model Rule 3.7 (2002) addressed the issue of a lawyer as a witness at a trial. The Task Force recommended the rule?s scope be broadened to address the issue of a lawyer as a witness before a tribunal. See Model Rule 1.0(m).
Model Rule 3.7(a) prohibits a lawyer from acting as an advocate in a proceeding before a tribunal if the lawyer is likely to be a necessary witness, subject to three specific exclusions. In addition to the three exclusions set forth in the Rule, if ordered to do so by the tribunal, it is permissible for a lawyer to testify. Necessary but minor testimony may be given by the lawyer if disqualification of the lawyer as an advocate would result in substantial hardship to the client (see Model Rule 3.7(a)(3)). It may be the case that a judge in a non-jury trial may use different factors to decide whether a lawyer may testify, including but not limited to the factors set forth in Rule 3.4(g)(1)(i). Pursuant to Model Rule 3.7, the onus is on the lawyer to analyze, by balancing the competing interests, whether it is permissible to act as a witness. If, however, a motion to disqualify is filed, the issue of disqualification will be decided by the tribunal. In any event, the issue of whether a lawyer appropriately may act as both an advocate and necessary witness is an issue the lawyer ought to discuss with the client at the outset of the engagement, or at the earliest time it becomes an issue. Model Rule 3.7 only applies to a lawyer?s representation at the adjudicatory hearing, and not to representation at preliminary proceedings (although there may be other grounds for a lawyer?s disqualification at the preliminary stage). (See the rules governing conflicts of interest (Rule 1.7 and Rule 1.9), and the rules governing withdrawal from representation (Rule 1.16).)
The Task Force observed that in contrast to M. Bar R. 3.4(g)(1)(i), Model Rule 3.7 provides a narrower standard for disqualification by including the limitation that the lawyer be a ?necessary? witness. The requirement for the lawyer?s testimony to be ?necessary? means the party moving to disqualify must show that the lawyer?s testimony is relevant, material and unobtainable from other sources. The Task Force thought Rule 3.7 provided a clear articulation of an important rule, and thus recommended adoption as written.
