{"attribution":{"source":"legal.exploreworldai.com","canonical":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/judgment-text?id=us:ga-s26u0157-2026-06-16","cite_as":"NovaCopilot, legal.exploreworldai.com (https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/judgment-text?id=us:ga-s26u0157-2026-06-16)","license":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/revision","version":"legal-2026-10-17","fingerprint":"ewai:us:e7344b","proof":"sha256:7b1bd60dd1eaa7948fee00ab47417e3f345d95c592928dfb6fd839ddf1dc0876","jurisdiction":"us","lang":"en","publisher":"NovaCopilot by ExploreWorld Legal","terms":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/om"},"brand_source":"Source: NovaCopilot","item":{"schema_version":"1.0.0","id":"us:ga-s26u0157-2026-06-16","jurisdiction":"us","lang":"en","brand_source":"Source: NovaCopilot","brand":{"product":"NovaCopilot","platform":"ExploreWorldAI","infrastructure":"ExploreWorld Legal","infrastructure_url":"legal.exploreworldai.com","legal_entity":"Valkiv Ventures AB","permanent_url":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/novacopilot","source":"Source: NovaCopilot","powered_by":"Powered by NovaCopilot","license":"https://legal.exploreworldai.com/licensvillkor"},"sections":[{"title":"Front matter","paragraphs":["para_1","para_2","para_3","para_4","para_5","para_6","para_7","para_8","para_9","para_10","para_11","para_12","para_13","para_14","para_15","para_16","para_17","para_18","para_19","para_20","para_21","para_22","para_23","para_24","para_25","para_26","para_27","para_28","para_29","para_30","para_31","para_32","para_33","para_34","para_35","para_36","para_37","para_38","para_39","para_40","para_41","para_42","para_43","para_44","para_45","para_46","para_47","para_48","para_49","para_50","para_51","para_52","para_53","para_54","para_55","para_56","para_57","para_58","para_59","para_60","para_61","para_62","para_63","para_64","para_65","para_66","para_67","para_68","para_69","para_70","para_71","para_72","para_73","para_74","para_75","para_76","para_77","para_78","para_79","para_80","para_81","para_82","para_83","para_84","para_85","para_86","para_87","para_88","para_89","para_90","para_91","para_92","para_93","para_94","para_95","para_96","para_97","para_98","para_99","para_100","para_101","para_102","para_103","para_104","para_105","para_106","para_107","para_108","para_109","para_110","para_111","para_112","para_113","para_114","para_115","para_116","para_117","para_118","para_119","para_120","para_121","para_122","para_123","para_124","para_125","para_126","para_127","para_128","para_129","para_130","para_131","para_132","para_133","para_134","para_135","para_136","para_137","para_138","para_139","para_140","para_141","para_142","para_143","para_144","para_145","para_146","para_147","para_148","para_149","para_150","para_151","para_152","para_153","para_154","para_155","para_156","para_157","para_158","para_159","para_160","para_161","para_162","para_163","para_164","para_165","para_166","para_167","para_168","para_169","para_170","para_171","para_172","para_173","para_174","para_175","para_176","para_177","para_178","para_179","para_180","para_181","para_182","para_183","para_184","para_185","para_186","para_187","para_188","para_189","para_190","para_191","para_192","para_193","para_194","para_195","para_196","para_197","para_198","para_199","para_200","para_201","para_202","para_203","para_204","para_205","para_206","para_207","para_208","para_209","para_210","para_211","para_212","para_213","para_214","para_215","para_216","para_217","para_218","para_219","para_220","para_221","para_222","para_223","para_224","para_225","para_226","para_227","para_228","para_229","para_230","para_231","para_232","para_233","para_234","para_235","para_236","para_237","para_238","para_239","para_240","para_241","para_242","para_243","para_244","para_245","para_246","para_247","para_248","para_249","para_250","para_251"],"kind":"front_matter"}],"paragraphs":[{"text":"In the","paragraph_id":"para_1"},{"text":"Supreme Court of Georgia","paragraph_id":"para_2"},{"text":"No. S26U0157","paragraph_id":"para_3"},{"text":"In Re: Formal Advisory Opinion 24-1","paragraph_id":"para_4"},{"text":"Decided: August 11, 2026","paragraph_id":"para_5"},{"text":"PER CURIAM.","paragraph_id":"para_6"},{"text":"The State Bar of Georgia has requested discretionary","paragraph_id":"para_7"},{"text":"review of Formal Advisory Opinion (FAO) No. 24-1, which","paragraph_id":"para_8"},{"text":"addresses the question of whether lawyers working for an","paragraph_id":"para_9"},{"text":"insurance company can use third party vendors hired by the","paragraph_id":"para_10"},{"text":"insurance company to “request the production of documents from","paragraph_id":"para_11"},{"text":"a non-party pursuant to OCGA § 9-11-34(c) and to follow up on","paragraph_id":"para_12"},{"text":"and effectuate such a request to a non-party.” 1 The Formal","paragraph_id":"para_13"},{"text":"Advisory Opinion Board drafted this FAO after receiving a","paragraph_id":"para_14"},{"text":"request for a formal advisory opinion addressing this issue.","paragraph_id":"para_15"},{"text":"FAO No. 24-1 was first posted on the State Bar of Georgia’s","paragraph_id":"para_16"},{"text":"website from October 23, 2024, through November 25, 2024, and","paragraph_id":"para_17"},{"text":"members of the State Bar were invited to submit comments. See","paragraph_id":"para_18"},{"text":"State Bar Rule 4-403(c). 2 The Board received one comment and","paragraph_id":"para_19"},{"text":"1 The following summary of the history of the FAO is based on the","paragraph_id":"para_20"},{"text":"representations and exhibits provided in the State Bar of Georgia’s filings in","paragraph_id":"para_21"},{"text":"this Court.","paragraph_id":"para_22"},{"text":"2 Bar Rule 4-403(c) says:","paragraph_id":"para_23"},{"text":"When the Formal Advisory Opinion Board makes a","paragraph_id":"para_24"},{"text":"preliminary determination that a Proposed Formal Advisory","paragraph_id":"para_25"},{"text":"Opinion should be drafted, it shall publish the Proposed","paragraph_id":"para_26"},{"text":"Formal Advisory Opinion either in an official publication of the","paragraph_id":"para_27"},{"text":"State Bar of Georgia or on the website of the State Bar Georgia,","paragraph_id":"para_28"},{"text":"NOTICE: This opinion is subject to modification resulting from motions for reconsideration under Supreme Court","paragraph_id":"para_29"},{"text":"Rule 27, the Court’s reconsideration, and editorial revisions by the Reporter of Decisions. The version of the","paragraph_id":"para_30"},{"text":"opinion published in the Advance Sheets for the Georgia Reports, designated as the “Final Copy,” will replace any","paragraph_id":"para_31"},{"text":"prior version on the Court’s website and docket. A bound volume of the Georgia Reports will contain the final and","paragraph_id":"para_32"},{"text":"official text of the opinion.","paragraph_id":"para_33"},{"text":"2","paragraph_id":"para_34"},{"text":"decided to modify footnote one of the proposed advisory opinion","paragraph_id":"para_35","court_paragraph":2},{"text":"as a result. Because the Board did not believe the modification","paragraph_id":"para_36"},{"text":"was substantive, the modified FAO No. 24-1 was not published on","paragraph_id":"para_37"},{"text":"the State Bar’s website.","paragraph_id":"para_38"},{"text":"On January 23, 2025, the Board made a final","paragraph_id":"para_39"},{"text":"determination to approve FAO No. 24-1, and the State Bar filed a","paragraph_id":"para_40"},{"text":"petition for discretionary review of the FAO in this Court. See","paragraph_id":"para_41"},{"text":"State Bar Rule 4-403(d). 3 On November 4, 2025, we granted the","paragraph_id":"para_42"},{"text":"and solicit comments from the members of the State Bar of","paragraph_id":"para_43"},{"text":"Georgia. If the proposed Formal Advisory Opinion is published","paragraph_id":"para_44"},{"text":"on the State Bar of Georgia website only, the State Bar of","paragraph_id":"para_45"},{"text":"Georgia will send advance notification by e-mail to the entire","paragraph_id":"para_46"},{"text":"membership that have provided the State Bar of Georgia with","paragraph_id":"para_47"},{"text":"an e-mail address, that the proposed opinion will be published","paragraph_id":"para_48"},{"text":"on the State Bar of Georgia website. Following a reasonable","paragraph_id":"para_49"},{"text":"period of time for receipt of comments from the members of the","paragraph_id":"para_50"},{"text":"State Bar of Georgia, the Formal Advisory Opinion Board shall","paragraph_id":"para_51"},{"text":"then make a final determination to either file the Proposed","paragraph_id":"para_52"},{"text":"Formal Advisory Opinion as drafted or modified, or reconsider","paragraph_id":"para_53"},{"text":"its decision and decline to draft and file the Proposed Formal","paragraph_id":"para_54"},{"text":"Advisory Opinion.","paragraph_id":"para_55"},{"text":"3 Bar Rule 4-403 (d) says:","paragraph_id":"para_56"},{"text":"After the Formal Advisory Opinion Board makes a final","paragraph_id":"para_57"},{"text":"determination that the Proposed Formal Advisory Opinion","paragraph_id":"para_58"},{"text":"should be drafted and filed, the Formal Advisory Opinion shall","paragraph_id":"para_59"},{"text":"then be filed with the Supreme Court of Georgia and","paragraph_id":"para_60"},{"text":"republished either in an official publication of the State Bar of","paragraph_id":"para_61"},{"text":"Georgia or on the website of the State Bar of Georgia. If the","paragraph_id":"para_62"},{"text":"proposed Formal Advisory Opinion is to be republished on the","paragraph_id":"para_63"},{"text":"State Bar of Georgia website only, the State Bar of Georgia will","paragraph_id":"para_64"},{"text":"send advance notification by e-mail to the entire membership","paragraph_id":"para_65"},{"text":"that have provided the State Bar of Georgia with an e-mail","paragraph_id":"para_66"},{"text":"address, that the proposed opinion will be republished on the","paragraph_id":"para_67"},{"text":"State Bar of Georgia website. Unless the Supreme Court of","paragraph_id":"para_68"},{"text":"Georgia grants review as provided hereinafter, the opinion","paragraph_id":"para_69"},{"text":"3","paragraph_id":"para_70"},{"text":"State Bar’s petition for discretionary review. See id.","paragraph_id":"para_71","court_paragraph":3},{"text":"After considering the record and the State Bar’s brief, we","paragraph_id":"para_72"},{"text":"hereby approve FAO No. 24-1, which is attached to this opinion","paragraph_id":"para_73"},{"text":"as an Appendix.","paragraph_id":"para_74"},{"text":"Formal Advisory Opinion No. 24-1 Approved. All the","paragraph_id":"para_75"},{"text":"Justices concur.","paragraph_id":"para_76"},{"text":"shall be binding only on the State Bar of Georgia and the","paragraph_id":"para_77"},{"text":"person who requested the opinion, and not on the Supreme","paragraph_id":"para_78"},{"text":"Court of Georgia, which shall treat the opinion as persuasive","paragraph_id":"para_79"},{"text":"authority only. Within 20 days of the filing of the Formal","paragraph_id":"para_80"},{"text":"Advisory Opinion or the date the official publication is mailed","paragraph_id":"para_81"},{"text":"to the members of the State Bar of Georgia (if the opinion is","paragraph_id":"para_82"},{"text":"published in an official publication of the State Bar of Georgia),","paragraph_id":"para_83"},{"text":"or first appears on the website of the State Bar of Georgia (if","paragraph_id":"para_84"},{"text":"the opinion is published on the website), whichever is later, the","paragraph_id":"para_85"},{"text":"State Bar of Georgia or the person who requested the opinion","paragraph_id":"para_86"},{"text":"may file a petition for discretionary review thereof with the","paragraph_id":"para_87"},{"text":"Supreme Court of Georgia. The petition shall designate the","paragraph_id":"para_88"},{"text":"Formal Advisory Opinion sought to be reviewed and shall","paragraph_id":"para_89"},{"text":"concisely state the manner in which the petitioner is aggrieved.","paragraph_id":"para_90"},{"text":"If the Supreme Court of Georgia grants the petition for","paragraph_id":"para_91"},{"text":"discretionary review or decides to review the opinion on its own","paragraph_id":"para_92"},{"text":"motion, the record shall consist of the comments received by","paragraph_id":"para_93"},{"text":"the Formal Advisory Opinion Board from members of the State","paragraph_id":"para_94"},{"text":"Bar of Georgia. The State Bar of Georgia and the person","paragraph_id":"para_95"},{"text":"requesting the opinion shall follow the briefing schedule set","paragraph_id":"para_96"},{"text":"forth in Supreme Court of Georgia Rule 10, counting from the","paragraph_id":"para_97"},{"text":"date of the order granting review. The final determination may","paragraph_id":"para_98"},{"text":"be either by written opinion or by order of the Supreme Court","paragraph_id":"para_99"},{"text":"of Georgia and shall state whether the Formal Advisory","paragraph_id":"para_100"},{"text":"Opinion is approved, modified or disapproved, or shall provide","paragraph_id":"para_101"},{"text":"for such other final disposition as is appropriate.","paragraph_id":"para_102"},{"text":"In accordance with this rule, the opinion was republished on the State","paragraph_id":"para_103"},{"text":"Bar’s website on September 5, 2025","paragraph_id":"para_104"},{"text":"Case S26U0157 Filed 09/05/2025 Page 1 of 4","paragraph_id":"para_105"},{"text":"4","paragraph_id":"para_106"},{"text":"STATE BAR OF GEORGIA","paragraph_id":"para_107","court_paragraph":4},{"text":"FORMAL ADVISORY OPINION NO. 24-1","paragraph_id":"para_108"},{"text":"QUESTION PRESENTED:","paragraph_id":"para_109"},{"text":"May a lawyer use a third-party vendor to request the production of documents from","paragraph_id":"para_110"},{"text":"a non-party pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 9-11-34(c) and to follow up on and effectuate","paragraph_id":"para_111"},{"text":"such a request to a non-party, and if so, what degree of autonomy may the lawyer","paragraph_id":"para_112"},{"text":"allow the third-party vendor?","paragraph_id":"para_113"},{"text":"SUMMARY ANSWER:","paragraph_id":"para_114"},{"text":"Lawyers are authorized to use and rely on nonlawyer assistants to assist in the","paragraph_id":"para_115"},{"text":"representation of clients. Under appropriate circumstances, that could include the","paragraph_id":"para_116"},{"text":"use of a third-party vendor to request the production of medical records, bills, and","paragraph_id":"para_117"},{"text":"other documents from nonparties and to follow up on and effectuate such requests","paragraph_id":"para_118"},{"text":"to nonparties on the lawyer’s behalf. But such an arrangement would not be","paragraph_id":"para_119"},{"text":"appropriate if the lawyer believes, or reasonably should believe, the arrangement,","paragraph_id":"para_120"},{"text":"or the particular third-party vendor, will interfere with or inhibit the lawyer’s","paragraph_id":"para_121"},{"text":"responsibilities under the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct, most notably","paragraph_id":"para_122"},{"text":"including the lawyer’s responsibility to oversee the nonlawyer assistant, the","paragraph_id":"para_123"},{"text":"lawyer’s responsibility to provide competent representation, or the lawyer’s ability","paragraph_id":"para_124"},{"text":"to exercise professional judgment. Furthermore, such an arrangement would not be","paragraph_id":"para_125"},{"text":"permissible if the lawyer does not retain the right and ability to appropriately","paragraph_id":"para_126"},{"text":"supervise the third-party vendor’s work.","paragraph_id":"para_127"},{"text":"OPINION:","paragraph_id":"para_128"},{"text":"Increasingly, members of the State Bar of Georgia have used third-party vendors to","paragraph_id":"para_129"},{"text":"assist them in requesting the production of documents in civil actions. Often, those","paragraph_id":"para_130"},{"text":"requests seek the production of medical records of a plaintiff or other party to a","paragraph_id":"para_131"},{"text":"lawsuit, with the requests being directed to nonparty medical providers. In some","paragraph_id":"para_132"},{"text":"instances, an insurer who has hired and pays the lawyer to represent an insured","paragraph_id":"para_133"},{"text":"may direct or require the lawyer to use such a third-party vendor to request the","paragraph_id":"para_134"},{"text":"production of medical records. The degree to which such third-party vendors handle","paragraph_id":"para_135"},{"text":"the process of drafting, serving, and following up on the request for production may","paragraph_id":"para_136"},{"text":"vary widely from one such vendor, case, and request to the next.","paragraph_id":"para_137"},{"text":"The question presented, thus, includes whether the Georgia Rules of Professional","paragraph_id":"para_138"},{"text":"Conduct entirely prohibit a lawyer from using such third-party vendors to request","paragraph_id":"para_139"},{"text":"the production of documents; and if not, under what circumstances and subject to","paragraph_id":"para_140"},{"text":"what restrictions may a lawyer use such third-party vendors for this purpose?","paragraph_id":"para_141"},{"text":"Case S26U0157 Filed 09/05/2025 Page 2 of 4","paragraph_id":"para_142"},{"text":"Generally, a client may direct the lawyer on decisions concerning the scope and","paragraph_id":"para_143"},{"text":"objectives of the lawyer’s representation of the client, including directing the","paragraph_id":"para_144"},{"text":"selection of a particular nonlawyer service provider outside the lawyer’s firm.","paragraph_id":"para_145"},{"text":"Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2(a) and 5.3, cmt. 5. But when done in the","paragraph_id":"para_146"},{"text":"context of a pending civil action, “lawyers and parties may have additional","paragraph_id":"para_147"},{"text":"obligations that are a matter of law beyond the scope of” the Georgia Rules of","paragraph_id":"para_148"},{"text":"Professional Conduct. Rule 5.3, cmt. 5. These obligations, which are outside the","paragraph_id":"para_149"},{"text":"scope of this opinion, include avoiding the unauthorized practice of law.1","paragraph_id":"para_150"},{"text":"The Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct permit lawyers to use or rely on","paragraph_id":"para_151"},{"text":"nonlawyer assistants to assist the lawyer in rendering legal services to a client.","paragraph_id":"para_152"},{"text":"Rule 5.3 cmt. 4. “Assistants” are not limited to those titled as assistants and","paragraph_id":"para_153"},{"text":"employed by a lawyer or firm; “assistants” as used here includes any person or","paragraph_id":"para_154"},{"text":"entity that assists the lawyer in representing a client in a matter, whether by","paragraph_id":"para_155"},{"text":"employment, contract, or other relationship with the lawyer or firm.","paragraph_id":"para_156"},{"text":"When relying on such nonlawyers, a lawyer “shall make reasonable efforts to ensure","paragraph_id":"para_157"},{"text":"that the person’s conduct is compatible with the professional obligations of the","paragraph_id":"para_158"},{"text":"lawyer.” Rule 5.3(a) and (b). Accordingly, the lawyer must supervise the work","paragraph_id":"para_159"},{"text":"delegated to a nonlawyer and “should communicate directions appropriate under","paragraph_id":"para_160"},{"text":"the circumstances to give reasonable assurance that the nonlawyer’s conduct is","paragraph_id":"para_161"},{"text":"compatible with the professional obligations of the lawyer.” Rule 5.3(a), (b), and","paragraph_id":"para_162"},{"text":"cmts. 2 and 4.","paragraph_id":"para_163"},{"text":"In any arrangement in which a lawyer relies on a nonlawyer assistant, the lawyer","paragraph_id":"para_164"},{"text":"will retain responsibility for the nonlawyer assistant’s work. Rule 5.3 and cmts. 1","paragraph_id":"para_165"},{"text":"and 2. As such, a lawyer will be responsible for any inappropriate conduct of the","paragraph_id":"para_166"},{"text":"nonlawyer in the context of his work for the lawyer if the lawyer either orders or","paragraph_id":"para_167"},{"text":"ratifies the conduct in question. Rule 5.3(c)(1). Law firm partners and lawyers with","paragraph_id":"para_168"},{"text":"managerial authority in a firm must also “make reasonable efforts to ensure that","paragraph_id":"para_169"},{"text":"the firm has in effect measures giving reasonable assurance that all lawyers in the","paragraph_id":"para_170"},{"text":"firm conform to the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct,” including as to the use","paragraph_id":"para_171"},{"text":"of nonlawyer assistants by lawyers in the firm. Rule 5.1(a); see Rule 5.1(a) cmt. 2","paragraph_id":"para_172"},{"text":"(internal policies and procedures).","paragraph_id":"para_173"},{"text":"Additionally, one of a lawyer’s chief responsibilities is to provide competent","paragraph_id":"para_174"},{"text":"representation to a client. Rule 1.1. Competent handling of a particular matter","paragraph_id":"para_175"},{"text":"includes “use of methods and procedures meeting the standards of competent","paragraph_id":"para_176"},{"text":"practitioners.” Rule 1.1, cmt. 5. In all cases, the lawyer may not initiate or continue","paragraph_id":"para_177"},{"text":"with such an arrangement if it interferes with the lawyer’s ability to exercise","paragraph_id":"para_178"},{"text":"1 When or whether a person complies with Georgia law or engages in unauthorized","paragraph_id":"para_179"},{"text":"practice of law is beyond the scope of this opinion; however, see Rule 5.5(a) and cmt.","paragraph_id":"para_180"},{"text":"2.","paragraph_id":"para_181"},{"text":"Case S26U0157 Filed 09/05/2025 Page 3 of 4","paragraph_id":"para_182"},{"text":"6","paragraph_id":"para_183"},{"text":"professional judgment. See Rules 1.7 and cmts. 2 and 10, 1.8(f) and cmt. 5, 2.1, and","paragraph_id":"para_184","court_paragraph":6},{"text":"5.4(c).","paragraph_id":"para_185"},{"text":"In keeping with these principles, a lawyer may only use or rely on a third-party","paragraph_id":"para_186"},{"text":"vendor to request and obtain medical records or any other documents from a","paragraph_id":"para_187"},{"text":"nonparty if the lawyer properly complies with his responsibilities under the Georgia","paragraph_id":"para_188"},{"text":"Rules of Professional Conduct. Thus, if such an arrangement does not allow the","paragraph_id":"para_189"},{"text":"lawyer to exercise sufficient oversight to give reasonable assurance that the third-","paragraph_id":"para_190"},{"text":"party vendor’s conduct is compatible with the professional obligations of the lawyer,","paragraph_id":"para_191"},{"text":"then the lawyer should not undertake or continue with the arrangement. See Rule","paragraph_id":"para_192"},{"text":"5.3, cmt. 4.2 If a lawyer believes, or reasonably should believe, that such an","paragraph_id":"para_193"},{"text":"arrangement would interfere with the lawyer’s ability to provide competent","paragraph_id":"para_194"},{"text":"representation to the client or the lawyer’s ability to exercise professional judgment,","paragraph_id":"para_195"},{"text":"the lawyer should not enter into the arrangement. See Rules 1.1, 1.8(f), 2.1, and","paragraph_id":"para_196"},{"text":"5.4(c). If a lawyer has entered into such an arrangement and the lawyer believes it","paragraph_id":"para_197"},{"text":"has compromised or will compromise the lawyer’s ability to provide competent","paragraph_id":"para_198"},{"text":"representation to the client or to exercise professional judgment, the lawyer should","paragraph_id":"para_199"},{"text":"either terminate the arrangement with the third-party vendor or withdraw from the","paragraph_id":"para_200"},{"text":"representation.","paragraph_id":"para_201"},{"text":"Where a lawyer does enter into such an arrangement, the lawyer must supervise","paragraph_id":"para_202"},{"text":"the work delegated to the third-party vendor. Rule 5.3(a), (b), and cmt. 1.","paragraph_id":"para_203"},{"text":"Ultimately, the lawyer will be responsible for the conduct of the third-party vendor","paragraph_id":"para_204"},{"text":"in the context of the representation as the lawyer would be with any other","paragraph_id":"para_205"},{"text":"nonlawyer assistant. See Rule 5.3.3","paragraph_id":"para_206"},{"text":"2A lawyer would not be permitted to undertake or continue an arrangement in","paragraph_id":"para_207"},{"text":"which the lawyer is not permitted or able to appropriately direct the actions of the","paragraph_id":"para_208"},{"text":"third-party vendor in carrying out the work of serving, following up on, or","paragraph_id":"para_209"},{"text":"effectuating a request for production of documents or things. In that situation, the","paragraph_id":"para_210"},{"text":"arrangement would impermissibly inhibit the lawyer’s ability to “communicate","paragraph_id":"para_211"},{"text":"directions appropriate under the circumstances to give reasonable assurance that","paragraph_id":"para_212"},{"text":"the nonlawyer’s conduct is compatible with the professional obligations of the","paragraph_id":"para_213"},{"text":"lawyer.” Rule 5.3, cmt. 4.","paragraph_id":"para_214"},{"text":"3 The use of nonlawyers outside the firm to assist in procuring sensitive or","paragraph_id":"para_215"},{"text":"confidential information or documents, such as medical records, may also implicate","paragraph_id":"para_216"},{"text":"other considerations under state and federal law (e.g., maintaining confidentiality","paragraph_id":"para_217"},{"text":"of protected health information). While outside the scope of this opinion, the lawyer","paragraph_id":"para_218"},{"text":"must take steps to ensure that any nonlawyer relied on by the lawyer complies with","paragraph_id":"para_219"},{"text":"those requirements. See Rule 5.3(a) and (c), cmt. 4.","paragraph_id":"para_220"},{"text":"Case S26U0157 Filed 09/05/2025 Page 4 of 4","paragraph_id":"para_221"},{"text":"7","paragraph_id":"para_222"},{"text":"An additional concern exists where a lawyer has been retained, employed, or paid","paragraph_id":"para_223","court_paragraph":7},{"text":"by a person to represent someone else and the person retaining, employing, or","paragraph_id":"para_224"},{"text":"paying the lawyer seeks to impose a requirement that the lawyer use a third-party","paragraph_id":"para_225"},{"text":"vendor in the context of that representation.4 Rule 5.4(c) prohibits a lawyer from","paragraph_id":"para_226"},{"text":"permitting “a person who recommends, employs, or pays the lawyer to render legal","paragraph_id":"para_227"},{"text":"services for another to direct or regulate the lawyer’s professional judgment in","paragraph_id":"para_228"},{"text":"rendering such legal services.” In the context of such an arrangement, the lawyer","paragraph_id":"para_229"},{"text":"would not be permitted to follow a direction to use a third-party vendor to request","paragraph_id":"para_230"},{"text":"the production of documents from a non-party if the lawyer believes or reasonably","paragraph_id":"para_231"},{"text":"should believe the arrangement will likely interfere with the lawyer’s professional","paragraph_id":"para_232"},{"text":"judgment in rendering legal services to the client. Such reasonable belief may be","paragraph_id":"para_233"},{"text":"formed on the basis of contract terms, course of conduct, specific instances, or other","paragraph_id":"para_234"},{"text":"facts known to the lawyer.","paragraph_id":"para_235"},{"text":"Furthermore, if the client, or insurer, and the lawyer cannot agree on whether the","paragraph_id":"para_236"},{"text":"use of a specific third-party vendor or other nonlawyer assistant will allow the","paragraph_id":"para_237"},{"text":"lawyer to meet his or her obligations under the Georgia Rules of Professional","paragraph_id":"para_238"},{"text":"Conduct, then the lawyer should withdraw from the representation. See Rule 1.2,","paragraph_id":"para_239"},{"text":"cmt. 2.5","paragraph_id":"para_240"},{"text":"4 One example is where an insurer retains, employs, or pays a lawyer to represent","paragraph_id":"para_241"},{"text":"an insured. However, this potential issue and the related considerations would","paragraph_id":"para_242"},{"text":"apply to any situation where the person retaining, employing, or paying the lawyer","paragraph_id":"para_243"},{"text":"seeks to require the lawyer to use a particular non-lawyer assistant in representing","paragraph_id":"para_244"},{"text":"someone else (e.g., a company paying the lawyer to represent its employee).","paragraph_id":"para_245"},{"text":"5 Where a lawyer uses or relies on a third-party vendor as a nonlawyer assistant at the","paragraph_id":"para_246"},{"text":"direction of the client or the person retaining, employing, or paying for the representation,","paragraph_id":"para_247"},{"text":"the lawyer’s work in supervising the conduct of the third-party vendor requires the lawyer","paragraph_id":"para_248"},{"text":"to exercise professional legal judgment. 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