Advisory Opinion: 1670

Year Issued: 1996

RPC(s):

Subject: Including arbitration provision in fee agreement with client

The Committee was of the opinion that there is no per se prohibition in the Rules of Professional Conduct against including an arbitration provision in a fee agreement with a client, but that it (1) must be consistent with a lawyer's fiduciary obligations and statutory law such as RCW Ch. 4.24; and (2) it properly must be done only with full disclosure to the client.

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.