Opinion 1106

The Committee was of the opinion that Rule 1.8(e) would prohibit a lawyer from providing the kind of financial assistance set out in your inquiry. [The lawyer proposed purchasing property from clients who cannot meet their mortgage payments and leasing the property back to the clients, with an option to purchase]. The Committee also directed me to call your attention to In re McGlothen, 99 W.2d 515, 663 P.2d 1339 (1983) which discusses some of the issues raised by your inquiry.

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.