Opinion 1918

The inquirer asked if the Rules of Professional Conduct allowed a practicing lawyer to also be employed as a police officer. The committee opined that the Rules do not preclude a lawyer from dual employment. A lawyer may practice law while employed in other occupations. However, great care should be taken in the conduct of both your law practice and your office as police chief to ensure that you do not come into conflict with the Rules of Professional Conduct that may be implicated in the operation of the two professions.

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.