RULE 1.3
                               DILIGENCE


    A lawyer shall act with reasonable diligence and promptness in
representing a client.

Comment

  [1] [Washington revision] A lawyer should pursue a matter on behalf of a
client despite opposition, obstruction or personal inconvenience to the
lawyer, and take whatever lawful and ethical measures are required to
vindicate a client's cause or endeavor. A lawyer must also act with
commitment and dedication to the interests of the client and with diligence
in advocacy upon the client's behalf. A lawyer is not bound, however, to
press for every advantage that might be realized for a client. For example,
a lawyer may have authority to exercise professional discretion in
determining the means by which a matter should be pursued. See Rule 1.2.
The lawyer's duty to act with reasonable diligence does not require the use
of offensive tactics or preclude the treating of all persons involved in
the legal process with courtesy and respect.

  [2] A lawyer's work load must be controlled so that each matter can be
handled competently.

  [3] Perhaps no professional shortcoming is more widely resented than
procrastination. A client's interests often can be adversely affected by
the passage of time or the change of conditions; in extreme instances, as
when a lawyer overlooks a statute of limitations, the client's legal
position may be destroyed. Even when the client's interests are not
affected in substance, however, unreasonable delay can cause a client
needless anxiety and undermine confidence in the lawyer's trustworthiness.
A lawyer's duty to act with reasonable promptness, however, does not
preclude the lawyer from agreeing to a reasonable request for postponement
that will not prejudice the lawyer's client.

  [4] Unless the relationship is terminated as provided in Rule 1.16, a
lawyer should carry through to conclusion all matters undertaken for a
client. If a lawyer's employment is limited to a specific matter, the
relationship terminates when the matter has been resolved. If a lawyer has
served a client over a substantial period in a variety of matters, the
client sometimes may assume that the lawyer will continue to serve on a
continuing basis unless the lawyer gives notice of withdrawal. Doubt about
whether a client-lawyer relationship still exists should be clarified by
the lawyer, preferably in writing, so that the client will not mistakenly
suppose the lawyer, is looking after the client's affairs when the lawyer
has ceased to do so. For example, if a lawyer has handled a judicial or
administrative proceeding that produced a result adverse to the client and
the lawyer and the client have not agreed that the lawyer will handle the
matter on appeal, the lawyer must consult with the client about the
possibility of appeal before relinquishing responsibility for the matter.
See Rule 1q.4(a)(2). Whether the lawyer is obligated to prosecute the
appeal for the client depends on the scope of the representation the lawyer
has agreed to provide to the client. See Rule 1.2.

  [5] [Reserved.]


[Amended effective September 1, 2006.]