True or False: A paralegal must withdraw from representation when a conflict of interest arises?

A paralegal must indeed withdraw from representation when a conflict of interest arises. This requirement is rooted in ethical obligations and professional conduct standards that govern paralegals. When a conflict of interest is identified, the integrity of the legal process and the duty to provide loyal and uninfluenced representation to each client must be maintained.

Conflicts of interest can compromise a paralegal's ability to advocate effectively for one or more clients without bias or divided loyalty. For instance, if a paralegal is representing two clients whose interests are directly opposed, it would be impossible to serve both clients effectively without risking one client's interests for the other. Therefore, when a conflict is recognized, the ethical course of action is to withdraw from representing one or more clients involved in such a conflict.

This principle upholds the legal profession’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and the protection of client interests, safeguarding the integrity of the legal system overall.