(a) “Belief” or “believes” denotes that the person involved actually supposed the fact in question to be true. A person's belief may be inferred from circumstances.
(b) “Confirmed in writing,” when used in reference to the informed consent of a person, denotes informed consent that is given in writing by the person or a writing that an attorney promptly transmits to the person confirming an oral informed consent. See section (g) of this Rule for the definition of “informed consent.” If it is not feasible to obtain or transmit the writing at the time the person gives informed consent, then the attorney must obtain or transmit it within a reasonable time thereafter.
(c) “Consult” or “consultation” denotes communication of information reasonably sufficient to permit the client to appreciate the significance of the matter in question.
(d) “Diminished capacity” means a decreased ability to receive and understand information, evaluate that information, or make or communicate decisions, even with appropriate supports or accommodations, whether because of minority, mental impairment, or some other reason.
(e) “Firm” or “law firm” denotes:
(1) an association of an attorney or attorneys in a law partnership, professional corporation, sole proprietorship or other association formed for the practice of law; or
(2) a legal services organization or the legal department of a corporation, government or other organization.
(f) “Fraud” or “fraudulent” denotes conduct that is fraudulent under the substantive or procedural law of the applicable jurisdiction and has a purpose to deceive.
(g) “Informed consent” denotes the agreement by a person to a proposed course of conduct after the attorney has communicated adequate information and explanation about the material risks of and reasonably available alternatives to the proposed course of conduct.
(h) “Knowingly,” “known,” or “knows” denotes actual knowledge of the fact in question. A person's knowledge may be inferred from circumstances.
(i) “Law firm” has the meaning stated in section (e) of this Rule.
(j) “Partner” denotes a member of a partnership, a shareholder in a law firm organized as a professional corporation, or a member of an association authorized to practice law.
(k) “Reasonable” or “reasonably” when used in relation to conduct by an attorney denotes the conduct of a reasonably prudent and competent attorney.
(l) “Reasonable belief” or “reasonably believes” when used in reference to an attorney denotes that the attorney believes the matter in question and that the circumstances are such that the belief is reasonable.
(m) “Reasonably should know” when used in reference to an attorney denotes that an attorney of reasonable prudence and competence would ascertain the matter in question.
(n) “Screened” denotes the isolation of an attorney from any participation in a matter through the timely imposition of procedures within a firm that are reasonably adequate under the circumstances to protect information that the isolated attorney is obligated to protect under these Rules or other law.
(o) “Substantial” when used in reference to degree or extent denotes a material matter of clear and weighty importance.
(p) “Tribunal” denotes a court, an arbitrator in a binding arbitration proceeding or a legislative body, administrative agency or other body acting in an adjudicative capacity. A legislative body, administrative agency or other body acts in an adjudicative capacity when a neutral official, after the presentation of evidence or legal argument by a party or parties, will render a binding legal decision directly affecting a party's interests in a particular matter.
(q) “Writing” or “written” denotes a tangible or electronic record of a communication or representation, including handwriting, typewriting, printing, photostating, photography, audio or video-recording, and e-mail. A “signed” writing includes an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a writing and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the writing.