When is a lawyer required to report a colleague's misconduct?

A lawyer is required to report a colleague's misconduct when they know it has occurred. This obligation stems from the professional responsibility rules that require attorneys to uphold the integrity of the legal profession. The rules emphasize the importance of reporting violations that reflect adversely on the lawyer's fitness to practice law or undermine the trust in the legal system itself.

Knowing about misconduct implies that the lawyer has credible evidence or information confirming the unethical behavior. The duty to report doesn't hinge on the severity of the misconduct alone or the method by which it was observed. Therefore, the requirement goes beyond mere suspicion or indirect knowledge. It necessitates actual knowledge of the infraction to warrant a report, highlighting the lawyer's role in maintaining ethical standards within the profession.

Consequently, the other alternatives lack the necessary criteria for when a report is mandatory. They either suggest an insufficient level of certainty or fail to focus on the requirement of having actual knowledge of the misconduct.