Advisory Opinion: 995

Year Issued: 1986

RPC(s): RPC 1.5(e); 7.2; 7.3

Subject: Covering for lawyer on sabbatical

Lawyer A proposed to maintain Lawyer B's phones and yellow page advertising while Lawyer B was on sabbatical, and inform all callers that Lawyer B was on sabbatical and Lawyer is handling Lawyer A's calls. Based upon the facts set out in your inquiry, the Committee was of the opinion that nothing in your proposed plan to cover for a lawyer going on a sabbatical would violate the Rules of Professional Conduct.

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.