CANONS OF ETHICS

9. Negotiations with Opposite Party. A lawyer should not in any way communicate upon the subject of controversy with a party represented by counsel; much less should he undertake to negotiate or com promise the matter with him, but should deal only with his counsel. It is incum bent upon the lawyer most particularly to avoid everything that may tend to mislead a party not represented by counsel, and he should not undertake to advise him as to the law. 10. Acquiring Interest in Litigation. The lawyer should not purchase any interest in the subject matter of the litigation which he is conducting. ir. Dealing with Trust Property. Money of the client or other trust property coming into the possession of the lawyer should be reported promptly, and except with the client's knowledge and consent should not be commingled with his private property or be used by him. 12. Fixing the Amount of the Fee. In fixing fees, lawyers should avoid charges which overestimate their advice and ser vices, as well as those which undervalue them. A client's ability to pay cannot justify a charge in excess of the value of the service, though his property may require a less charge, or even none at all. The reasonable requests of brother lawyers, and of their widows and orphans without ample means, should receive special and kindly consideration. In determining the amount of the fee, it is proper to consider: i) the time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved and the skill requisite properly to conduct the cause; 2) whether the acceptance of employment in the particular case will preclude the lawyer's appearance for others in cases likely to arise out of the 'transaction, and in which there is a reasonable expectation that otherwise he would be employed, or will involve the loss of other business while employed in the particular case or antag

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onisms with other clients; 3) the custom ary charges of the Bar for similar ser vices; 4) the amount involved in the controversy and the benefits resulting to the client from the services; 5) the con tingency or the certainty of the compensa tion; and 6) the character of the employ ment, whether casual or for an established and constant client. No one of these considerations in itself is controlling. They are mere guides in ascertaining the real value of the service. In fixing fees it should never be forgotten that the profession is a branch of the administration of justice and not a mere money-getting trade. 13. Contingent Fees. Contingent fees where sanctioned by law should be under the supervision of the Court in order that clients may be protected from unjust charges. 14. Suing a Client for a Fee. Con troversies with clients concerning compen sation are to be avoided by the lawyer so far as shall be compatible with his selfrespect and with his right to receive reasonable recompense for his services; and lawsuits with clients should be resorted to only to prevent injustice, imposition or fraud. 15. How Far a Lawyer May Go in Supporting a Client's Cause. Nothing operates more certainly to create or to foster popular prejudice against lawyers as a class, and to deprive the profession of that full measure of public esteem and confidence which belongs to the proper discharge of its duties than does the false claim, often set up by the unscrupulous in defense of questionable transactions, that it is the duty of the lawyer to do whatever may enable him to succeed in winning his client's cause. It is improper -for a lawyer to assert in argument his personal belief in his client's innocence or in the justice of his cause. The lawyer owes "entire devotion to the interest of the client, warm zeal in the