Cal. Rules of Prof. Conduct, rule 1.2 · Chapter 1. Lawyer-Client Relationship
Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority
Text — 2026 edition, as the State Bar of California publishes it (read October 22, 2026)
(a) Subject to rule 1.2.1, a lawyer shall abide by a client’s decisions concerning the objectives of representation and, as required by rule 1.4, shall reasonably* consult with the client as to the means by which they are to be pursued. Subject to Business and Professions Code section 6068, subdivision (e)(1) and rule 1.6, a lawyer may take such action on behalf of the client as is impliedly authorized to carry out the representation. A lawyer shall abide by a client’s decision whether to settle a matter. Except as otherwise provided by law in a criminal case, the lawyer shall abide by the client’s decision, after consultation with the lawyer, as to a plea to be entered, whether to waive jury trial and whether the client will testify.
(b) A lawyer may limit the scope of the representation if the limitation is reasonable* under the circumstances, is not otherwise prohibited by law, and the client gives informed consent.*
Notes and commentary — not rule text
Comment
Allocation of Authority between Client and Lawyer
[1] Paragraph (a) confers upon the client the ultimate authority to determine the purposes to be served by legal representation, within the limits imposed by law and the lawyer’s professional obligations. (See, e.g., Cal. Const., art. I, § 16; Pen. Code, § 1018.) A lawyer retained to represent a client is authorized to act on behalf of the client, such as in procedural matters and in making certain tactical decisions. A lawyer is not authorized merely by virtue of the lawyer’s retention to impair the client’s substantive rights or the client’s claim itself. (Blanton v. Womancare, Inc. (1985) 38 Cal.3d 396, 404 [212 Cal.Rptr. 151, 156].)
[2] At the outset of, or during a representation, the client may authorize the lawyer to take specific action on the client’s behalf without further consultation. Absent a material change in circumstances and subject to rule 1.4, a lawyer may rely on such an advance authorization. The client may revoke such authority at any time.
Independence from Client’s Views or Activities
[3] A lawyer’s representation of a client, including representation by appointment, does not constitute an endorsement of the client’s political, economic, social or moral views or activities.
Agreements Limiting Scope of Representation
[4] All agreements concerning a lawyer’s representation of a client must accord with the Rules of Professional Conduct and other law. (See, e.g., rules 1.1, 1.8.1, 5.6; see also Cal. Rules of Court, rules 3.35-3.37 [limited scope rules applicable in civil matters generally], 5.425 [limited scope rule applicable in family law matters].)
Source of truth
- Edition
- 2026 edition, as the State Bar of California publishes it (read October 22, 2026)
- Official file
- https://www.calbar.ca.gov/sites/default/files/portals/0/documents/rules/Rules-of-Professional-Conduct.pdf (PDF pages 15)
- Text hash
- sha256 51908da92d2a3cf5644d1081083ca4fb3b3a8aeada277bbd648c74dbda57b7a9
- Composed by
- rpc/build 2026-10-22: the State Bar's 2026 PDF (pages 12-71) read by two readers, PyMuPDF glyph positions and pdfminer with the PDF's tagged structure, agreeing on 834 of 843 paragraphs character for character, the other nine (paragraph boundaries only) resolved against the rendered page; 205,485 printed glyphs accounted for; the State Bar's chapter pages a third reading
This rule cites
Provisions in this library that the text above cites, as it prints each citation. A range cited as “ss. 61.13-61.16” links its first and last provisions.
California Constitution
Business and Professions Code
California Rules of Professional Conduct
- Cal. Rules of Prof. Conduct, rule 1.1CompetencePrinted as rules 1.1, 1.8.1, 5.6
- Cal. Rules of Prof. Conduct, rule 1.2.1Advising or Assisting the Violation of LawPrinted as rule 1.2.1
- Cal. Rules of Prof. Conduct, rule 1.4Communication with ClientsPrinted as rule 1.4
- Cal. Rules of Prof. Conduct, rule 1.6Confidential Information of a ClientPrinted as rule 1.6
- Cal. Rules of Prof. Conduct, rule 1.8.1Business Transactions with a Client and Pecuniary Interests Adverse to a ClientPrinted as rules 1.1, 1.8.1, 5.6
- Cal. Rules of Prof. Conduct, rule 5.6Restrictions on a Lawyer’s Right to PracticePrinted as rules 1.1, 1.8.1, 5.6
Cited by 3 provisions
Provisions in this library whose text cites Cal. Rules of Prof. Conduct, rule 1.2. Each shows the citation as that text prints it.
California Rules of Professional Conduct
Procedural information only. Not legal advice and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. Confirm the current text with the official publisher before relying on it.