Advisory Opinion: 1011

Year Issued: 1986

RPC(s): RPC 1.13

Subject: Client under disability; client who threatens to commit suicide

The Committee was of the opinion that, when a lawyer is faced with the situation of a client who threatens to commit suicide, and the lawyer reasonably believes that the client might attempt to carry out that threat, the lawyer, pursuant to RPC 1.13, may take protective action on the theory that the client is, at least temporarily, under a disability. Such protective action might include a call to the public emergency services to get immediate intervention and could allow the lawyer to provide whatever information was necessary to protect 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.