Dual representation in dissolution of marriage cases, where a single legal professional provides counsel to both individuals, presents significant ethical and practical complexities. The core issue revolves around the attorney’s duty of loyalty to each client. A lawyer’s primary responsibility is to advocate zealously for their client’s best interests. This becomes inherently challenging when those interests diverge, as is often the case in divorce proceedings involving property division, child custody, and support arrangements.
The prohibition against representing opposing sides in a legal dispute stems from fundamental principles of fairness and impartiality within the legal system. Historically, the adversarial nature of litigation necessitates independent representation to ensure each party has a dedicated advocate protecting their rights. Attempting to serve two masters can lead to conflicts of interest, compromising the quality of legal advice and potentially disadvantaging one or both parties involved. While streamlined and cost-effective in some scenarios, such an arrangement risks undermining the integrity of the process.