R Hume

Informal Admonition (December 1, 2020)

Summary: In re Robert T. Hume. Bar No. 114132. December 1, 2020. Disciplinary Counsel issued Hume an informal admonition. While practicing as an international trade lawyer and retained to represent several competitors of a large Chinese garlic export company, Hume also represented a U.S. garlic grower when that representation was or was likely to be adversely affected by the representation of the other clients. In addition, Hume’s professional judgment on behalf of the U.S. client was adversely affected by his ongoing responsibilities to his Chinese clients. Finally, Hume impermissibly provided financial assistance to the U.S. client in violation of Rules 1.7(b)(2), 1.7(b)(4), and 1.8(d).