[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 37, Volume 1]
[Revised as of July 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 37CFR10.84]

[Page 360-361]
 
              TITLE 37--PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, AND COPYRIGHTS
 
                         DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
 
PART 10--REPRESENTATION OF OTHERS BEFORE THE PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 10.84  Representing a client zealously.

    (a) A practitioner shall not intentionally:
    (1) Fail to seek the lawful objectives of a client through 
reasonably available means permitted by law and the Disciplinary Rules, 
except as provided by paragraph (b) of this section. A practitioner does 
not violate the provisions of this section, however, by acceding to 
reasonable requests of opposing counsel which do not prejudice the 
rights of the client, by being punctual in fulfilling all professional 
commitments, by avoiding offensive tactics, or by treating with courtesy 
and consideration all persons involved in the legal process.
    (2) Fail to carry out a contract of employment entered into with a 
client for professional services, but a practitioner may withdraw as 
permitted under Secs. 10.40, 10.63, and 10.66.
    (3) Prejudice or damage a client during the course of a professional 
relationship, except as required under this part.
    (b) In representation of a client, a practitioner may:
    (1) Where permissible, exercise professional judgment to waive or 
fail to assert a right or position of the client.
    (2) Refuse to aid or participate in conduct that the practitioner 
believes

[[Page 361]]

to be unlawful, even though there is some support for an argument that 
the conduct is legal.