§ 81.3. Terminology.

 The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings:

   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.

   Consult or Consultation—Denotes communications of information reasonably sufficient to permit the client to appreciate the significance of the matter in question.

   Firm or Law firm—Denotes a lawyer or lawyers in a private firm, lawyers employed in the legal department of a corporation or other organization and lawyers employed in a legal services organization. See Comment, Rule 1.10.

   Fraud or Fraudulent—Denotes conduct having a purpose to deceive and not merely negligent misrepresentation or failure to apprise another of relevant information.

   Knowingly, Known, or Knows—Denotes actual knowledge of the fact in question. A person’s knowledge may be inferred from circumstances.

   Partner—Denotes an equity owner in a law firm, whether in the capacity of a partner in a partnership, a shareholder in a professional corporation, a member in a limited liability company, a beneficiary of a business trust, or otherwise.

   Reasonable or Reasonably—When used in relation to conduct by a lawyer denotes the conduct of a reasonably prudent and competent lawyer.

   Reasonable belief or Reasonably believes—When used in reference to a lawyer denotes that the lawyer believes the matter in question and that the circumstances are such that the belief is reasonable.

   Reasonably should know—When used in reference to a lawyer denotes that a lawyer of reasonable prudence and competence would ascertain the matter in question.

   Substantial—When used in reference to degree or extent denotes a material matter of clear and weighty importance.

   The provisions of this §  81.3 amended April 11, 1995, effective April 29, 1995, 25 Pa.B. 1670. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (122354) and (188757).