Advisory Opinion: 991

Year Issued: 1986

RPC(s): RPC 1.14

Subject: Maintaining client funds in lawyer's office instead of trust account

The Committee was of the unanimous opinion that RPC 1.14 is meant to protect clients and is intended to be an absolute prohibition against lawyers handling client funds in any way other than as permitted by that rule. Therefore, the Committee was of the unanimous opinion that it would be improper for a lawyer to maintain client funds in his office, and that the rule requires that all client funds be deposited into a trust account pursuant to RPC 1.14.

Advisory Opinions are provided for the education of the Bar and reflect the opinion of the Committee on Professional Ethics (CPE) or its predecessors. Advisory Opinions are provided pursuant to the authorization granted by the Board of Governors, but are not individually approved by the Board and do not reflect the official position of the Bar association. Laws other than the Washington State Rules of Professional Conduct may apply to the inquiry. The Committee's answer does not include or opine about any other applicable law other than the meaning of the Rules of Professional Conduct.