As lawyers race to claim a stake in the Metaverse, it is vital to consider how the Rules of Professional Conduct will apply. Is it a virtual Wild West, with little or no case law to guide its players? Or is it the next iteration of the Internet where the avatars of the competition understand the legal and ethical standards of a thriving commercial wonderland?

This two-part article addresses the fundamental ethical standards that lawyers must consider when practicing in the Metaverse, primarily through the lens of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, and suggests areas of potential change for this new environment. In Part I, we focus on the attorney-client relationship. Part II will deal with the ethical standards that apply to law firms and associations, as well as to advertising…