Position Paper In the present case it is very clear that Atty.

Louis committed a violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility and the Canons of Legal Ethics expected of him. Firstly because Atty. told !endy that "en #as $anuel%s child thus he violated la#yer&client confidentiality rule. 'he unconfirmed information that !endy received from three different sources are insufficient to destroy her belief that $anuel is dead but such information cannot be disregarded. Furthermore !endy(s belief is not #ell& founded as #ould amount to a declaration of presumptive death. Louis( suggestion of disregarding the unconfirmed information and insinuating about influence on a family court )udge is violative of Rule *.+* Rule *.+, Rule *-.+. and Rule *-.+/ of the Code of Professional Responsibility. 0aving established an attorney&client relationship Louis is bound to 1preserve the confidences and secrets of his client even after the attorney&client relation is terminated.2 Confidence refers to information protected by the attorney& client privilege under the Revised Rules of Court 3Report of I"P Committee p.**/4. 5ecret refers to other information gained in the professional relationship that the client has re6uested to be held inviolate or the disclosure of #hich #ould be embarrassing or #ould li7ely be detrimental to the client 3Report of I"P Committee p.**/4. Another violation committed by Atty. Louis #as on the occasion that he advised !endy to disregard the unconfirmed information on Manuels status if the latter is still alive or already dead; and on the fact that Atty. Louis insinuated about influence on a family court judge. It must be noted that result of disregarding the unverified information is for !endy to immediately secure a 8eclaration of Presumptive 8eath of $anuel before her #edding #ith 9mar on :une ,++;. !ith that Louis violated Canon * Rule *.+* of the Code of Professional Responsibility #hich states that< 1A la#yer shall not engage

in unla#ful dishonest immoral or deceitful conduct.2 First it is unla#ful since !endy has failed to establish a #ell&founded belief that $anuel is already dead. 5econd it involves dishonesty since despite several information on $anuel%s status Louis opt to disregard such information in order to execute his planned strategy. Also #hen Louis he suggested that he has influence on a family court )udge that #ould be of great help in !endy%s case it is to be deemed unethical. 0e violated Canon *- Rules *-.+. and *-.+/ of the Code of Professional Responsibility. Rule *-.+.& =A la#yer shall not state or imply that he is able to influence any public official tribunal or legislative body.= Rule *-.+/& =A la#yer shall impress upon his client compliance #ith the la#s and the principles of fairness.= 0e also violated Canon * Rule *.+, of the same Code #hich provides that =a la#yer shall not counsel or abet activities aimed at defiance of the la# or at lessening confidence in the legal system.2 In effect he exhibited a conduct that implies that he an officer of the la# is not complying #ith the la#s that he is supposed to uphold protect and promote. As a conse6uence !endy may believe that #hat Louis is doing or #ill try to do is the common trade in the La# Profession. 'hus !endy may lose confidence on the la#s and rules set by our legal system.