A conflict of interest exists when there is a substantial risk that an advocate's services to a client will be materially limited by the advocate's personal or professional interests. This defines when a conflict exists as.

• A. Only when the client objects to services.
• B. Only when a conflict affects billing.
• C. When there is a substantial risk to the quality of service due to personal or professional interests.
• D. Only when the advocate refuses to disclose.

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that a conflict exists when there is a substantial risk that the advocate’s personal or professional interests could materially limit the quality or integrity of the services provided to the client. That focus on the potential impact on service delivery makes the best choice correct: it captures the essence of what makes a conflict exist. It isn’t about whether the client objects, whether billing is involved, or whether the advocate has disclosed the conflict; those are separate factors. Disclosure is important, but the defining element is the substantial risk to service quality posed by competing interests.