If a client becomes angry about how they are being treated and seeks outside counsel, this is:

• A. Acceptable as it is the client's right to seek outside counsel at any time
• B. It is a violation of client rights
• C. It is something the rights advisor must ignore
• D. It is not allowed in the program

Answer: (A)

A client's right to seek outside counsel at any time. When a client feels wronged or is unhappy with how they’re treated, they can choose to involve an attorney or external advocate to represent their interests or review their rights. This is a normal and allowed part of exercising rights in recipient rights processes. Staff should respect that choice, provide information on how to pursue it, and support the client through the appropriate grievance or rights procedures, including obtaining consent if information is shared with outside counsel. This isn’t a violation of rights, isn’t something the rights advisor should ignore, and isn’t prohibited by program rules—the request is entirely acceptable.