When might a lawyer need to report out an issue to external parties?

A lawyer may need to report an issue to external parties when a clear violation of law exists that has not been corrected within the organization. This obligation often arises in situations where the lawyer knows that the organization's actions could lead to significant harm or legal liability, and internal remedies or corrective actions have been ignored or are ineffective.

Reporting externally is essential when the internal structures designed to address legal compliance have failed. The lawyer has ethical obligations to protect the integrity of the legal system and to ensure that unlawful conduct is addressed appropriately. This duty overrides the lawyer's loyalty to the organization when the actions of those in control are unlawful and pose a risk to public interest or safety.

On the other hand, issues deemed irrelevant, trivial, or serious only enough for internal consultation do not typically warrant external reporting. Such matters can usually be managed within the organization and do not rise to the level of requiring external disclosure or intervention.