Scenario:

• You are an attorney who has a client that is involved in a contract dispute.
• The dispute has escalated into a lawsuit and your client has been named as a defendant.
• You have been engaged in negotiations with opposing counsel representing the person bringing the lawsuit, known as the plaintiff.
• Negotiations with opposing counsel have been somewhat difficult and frustrating. One day, you receive a call from your client informing you that the opposing counsel has contacted him directly with an offer of settlement.

How would you reach to this news? What issues do you need to address with your client? Opposing counsel? Are there any ethical issues involved? If so, what are they? How would you address them?