What does "conflict of interest" imply for a lawyer?

The term "conflict of interest" in the context of legal practice refers to situations where a lawyer's ability to represent a client is compromised due to external factors. This may include personal interests, relationships, or financial stakes that could affect the lawyer's judgment in serving their client effectively.

When a lawyer has their judgment influenced by external factors, it can lead to divided loyalties and the potential for biased or inadequate representation. For instance, if a lawyer is also representing a party with directly opposing interests or is personally involved in matters relating to the case, their objectivity may be undermined, which can harm the client’s interests.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of a conflict of interest. A conflict does not imply that the lawyer has no financial stakes, nor does it infer that the lawyer is solely advocating for their own interests or representing multiple clients without issues. Each of these circumstances can exist without necessarily constituting a conflict of interest. Thus, the correct understanding focuses on the external influences that can impair a lawyer's impartial judgment in their advocacy for clients.