Common Party Search Checklist – Internal Document
When checking the names of a new client for potential conflict of interest, it is necessary to take your search beyond the names of your current and former clients. The list below suggests other parties that should be included in your search.
ANCILLARY BUSINESSES CRIMINAL
Name of any business in which a Client
firm member has an equity interest or Victim
director/officer role Witnesses
Expert witnesses
BANKRUPTCY Co-Defendants
Client Potential Co-Defendants
Spouse
Client’s partners DECLINED CLIENTS
Client’s other businesses Person declined
Client’s family members Adverse parties, if known
Creditors Spouse, if known
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE ESTATE PLANNING
BUSINESS/CORPORATE Testator/Testatrix
Client Spouse
Owner/Spouse Children/Heirs
Key employees Devisees/Beneficiaries
Buyer Personal representative(s)
Seller Trustees
Partners/Shareholders
Directors/Officers FAMILY LAW — DISSOLUTION
Brokers Client
Lenders Spouse (former & current)
Any opposing party in a transaction Children
Parcel number/location/address Expert witnesses
Title insurer Witnesses (if any)
Adverse family members
Guardian ad litem
LITIGATION Related parties
Client Witnesses
Insured Experts
Plaintiffs
Defendants
IMMIGRATION LAW
Insurance carriers Client
Guardian ad litem Spouse (former & current)
Spouse Children
Witnesses (if any) Expert witnesses
Expert witnesses Witnesses (if any)
Co-Counsel Adverse family members
Co-Plaintiffs/Co-Defendants Guardian ad litem
Opposing counsel Employers
Persons residing with client
PATENT
Client (by name and type of RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE
products) Client
Owner/Spouse
Patent Prosecution: Buyer
Subject matter of patent/trademark Seller
Inventors Brokers
Research & Development personnel Lender/Mortgage company
(within reason) Any opposing party in a transaction
Assignees of patent/trademark Parcel number/locations/address
Affiliates, subsidiaries, parent & Title insurer
holding companies
Graduate student assistants
Foreign patent agents WORKERS COMPENSATION
Client
Patent Litigation: Employer
Client affiliates, subsidiaries, parent Insurer
& holding companies
Opposing parties & affiliates (to the
extent identifiable)
Opposing counsel
NOTE: This material is intended as only an example, which you may use in developing your own form. It is not considered legal advice and as always, you will need to do your own research to make your own conclusions with regard to the laws and ethical opinions of your jurisdiction. In no event will ISBA Mutual Insurance Company be liable for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages resulting from the use of this material.