The D.C. Bar’s Ethics Opinion 391 (October 2025) addresses the ethical implications of lawyers or law firms entering agreements with government entities that may limit or shape their legal practice. The opinion cautions that such arrangements can create conflicts of interest, impose improper restrictions on a lawyer’s right to practice, or undermine professional independence. It emphasizes that lawyers must carefully assess whether these agreements compromise their ability to represent clients zealously and conflict-free, and warns that obtaining valid client waivers may be difficult. The opinion also clarifies that these ethical duties apply equally to lawyers representing the government in negotiating or implementing such agreements