# Wyo. R. Prof. Conduct 1.1: Rule 1.1. Competence

> Wyoming · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WY_RULEPROFCONDATTOLAW_R1_1

## Section

- **Citation:** Wyo. R. Prof. Conduct 1.1
- **Heading:** Rule 1.1. Competence
- **Jurisdiction:** Wyoming
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Wyoming Court Rules / Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law / Wyo. R. Prof. Conduct 1.1

## Text

A lawyer shall provide competent representation to a client. Competent
representation requires the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness and preparation reasonably necessary for the representation.
Comment. — Legal Knowledge and Skill. [1] In determining whether a
lawyer employs the requisite knowledge and skill in a particular matter,
relevant factors include the relative complexity and specialized nature of the
matter, the lawyer’s general experience, the lawyer’s training and experience in
the field in question, the preparation and study the lawyer is able to give the
matter and whether it is feasible to refer the matter to, or associate or consult
with, a lawyer of established competence in the field in question. In many
instances, the required proficiency is that of a general practitioner. Expertise in
a particular field of law may be required in some circumstances.
[2] A lawyer need not necessarily have special training or prior experience to
handle legal problems of a type with which the lawyer is unfamiliar. A newly
admitted lawyer can be as competent as a practitioner with long experience.
Some important legal skills, such as the analysis of precedent, the evaluation of
evidence and legal drafting, are required in all legal problems. Perhaps the
most fundamental legal skill consists of determining what kind of legal
problems a situation may involve, a skill that necessarily transcends any
particular specialized knowledge. A lawyer can provide adequate representation in a wholly novel field through necessary study. Competent representation
can also be provided through the association with a lawyer of established
competence in the field in question.
[3] In an emergency a lawyer may give advice or assistance in a matter in
which the lawyer does not have the skill ordinarily required where referral to or
consultation or association with another lawyer would be impractical
olly novel field through necessary study. Competent representation
can also be provided through the association with a lawyer of established
competence in the field in question.
[3] In an emergency a lawyer may give advice or assistance in a matter in
which the lawyer does not have the skill ordinarily required where referral to or
consultation or association with another lawyer would be impractical. Even in
an emergency, however, assistance should be limited to that reasonably necessary in the circumstances, for ill-considered action under emergency conditions
can jeopardize the client’s interest.
[4] A lawyer may accept representation where the requisite level of competence can be achieved by reasonable preparation. This applies as well to a
lawyer who is appointed as counsel for an unrepresented person. See also Rule
6.2.
Thoroughness and Preparation. [5] Competent handling of a particular
matter includes inquiry into and analysis of the factual and legal elements of
the problem, and use of methods and procedures meeting the standards of
competent practitioners. It also includes adequate preparation. The required
attention and preparation are determined in part by what is at stake; major
litigation and complex transactions ordinarily require more extensive treatment
than matters of lesser complexity and consequence. A lawyer and a client may
agree, pursuant to Rule 1.2(c) or Rule 6.5, to limit the scope of the representation. In such circumstances, competence means the legal knowledge, skill,
thoroughness and preparation reasonably necessary for the limited representation.
Retaining or Contracting With Other Lawyers. [6] Before a lawyer retains or
contracts with other lawyers outside the lawyer’s own firm to provide or assist
in the provision of legal services to a client, the lawyer should ordinarily obtain
informed consent from the client and must reasonably believe that the other
lawyers’ services will contribute to the competent and ethical representation of
the client
ing or Contracting With Other Lawyers. [6] Before a lawyer retains or
contracts with other lawyers outside the lawyer’s own firm to provide or assist
in the provision of legal services to a client, the lawyer should ordinarily obtain
informed consent from the client and must reasonably believe that the other
lawyers’ services will contribute to the competent and ethical representation of
the client. See also Rules 1.2 (allocation of authority), 1.4 (communication with
client), 1.5(e) (fee sharing), 1.6 (confidentiality), and 5.5(a) (unauthorized
practice of law). The reasonableness of the decision to retain or contract with
other lawyers outside the lawyer’s own firm will depend upon the circumstances, including the education, experience and reputation of the nonfirm
lawyers; the nature of the services assigned to the nonfirm lawyers; and the legal
protections, professional conduct rules, and ethical environments of the jurisdictions in which the services will be performed, particularly relating to
confidential information.
[7] When lawyers from more than one law firm are providing legal services to
the client on a particular matter, the lawyers ordinarily should consult with
each other and the client about the scope of their respective representations and
the allocation of responsibility among them. See Rule 1.2. When making
allocations of responsibility in a matter pending before a tribunal, lawyers and
parties may have additional obligations that are a matter of law beyond the
scope of these Rules.
Maintaining Competence. [8] To maintain the requisite knowledge and skill,
a lawyer should keep abreast of changes in the law and its practice, including
the benefits and risks associated with relevant technology, engage in continuing
study and education and comply with all continuing legal education requirements to which the lawyer is subject.
Definitional Cross-References
“Reasonably” See Rule 1.0(i)

## Nearby sections

- [Wyo. R. Prof. Conduct 1.0 Rule 1.0. Terminology](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WY_RULEPROFCONDATTOLAW_R1_0.md)
- [Wyo. R. Prof. Conduct 1.1 Rule 1.1. Competence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WY_RULEPROFCONDATTOLAW_R1_1.md)
- [Wyo. R. Prof. Conduct 1.2 Rule 1.2. Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority Be- tween Client and Lawyer](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WY_RULEPROFCONDATTOLAW_R1_2.md)
- [Wyo. R. Prof. Conduct 1.3 Rule 1.3. Diligence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WY_RULEPROFCONDATTOLAW_R1_3.md)
- [Wyo. R. Prof. Conduct 1.4 Rule 1.4. Communication](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WY_RULEPROFCONDATTOLAW_R1_4.md)
- [Wyo. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5 Rule 1.5. Fees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WY_RULEPROFCONDATTOLAW_R1_5.md)
- [Wyo. R. Prof. Conduct 1.6 Rule 1.6. Confidentiality of Information](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WY_RULEPROFCONDATTOLAW_R1_6.md)
- [Wyo. R. Prof. Conduct 1.7 Rule 1.7. Conflict of Interest: Current Clients](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WY_RULEPROFCONDATTOLAW_R1_7.md)
- [Wyo. R. Prof. Conduct 1.8 Rule 1.8. Conflict of Interest: Current Clients: Specific Prohibited Transactions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WY_RULEPROFCONDATTOLAW_R1_8.md)
- [Wyo. R. Prof. Conduct 1.9 Rule 1.9. Duties to Former Clients](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WY_RULEPROFCONDATTOLAW_R1_9.md)
- [Wyo. R. Prof. Conduct 1.10 Rule 1.10. Imputation of Conflicts of Interest: General Rule](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WY_RULEPROFCONDATTOLAW_R1_10.md)
- [Wyo. R. Prof. Conduct 1.11 Rule 1.11. Special Conflicts of Interest for Former and Current Gov- ernment Officers and Employees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WY_RULEPROFCONDATTOLAW_R1_11.md)
- [Wyo. R. Prof. Conduct 1.12 Rule 1.12. Former Judge, Arbitrator, Mediator, or Other Third-Party Neutral](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WY_RULEPROFCONDATTOLAW_R1_12.md)
- [Wyo. R. Prof. Conduct 1.13 Rule 1.13. Organization as Client](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WY_RULEPROFCONDATTOLAW_R1_13.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WY_RULEPROFCONDATTOLAW_R1_1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.