Opinion 1045

A lawyer negotiated with corporate management over an employment contract to serve as legal counsel. The contract provided that part of the lawyer's compensation would be shares in the publicly traded corporation. The Committee was of the opinion that negotiations as described by you in working out an employment contract for the full time job of legal counsel for a corporation does not violate RPC 1.8. It appeared to be an arm's length transaction, and it did not appear that you were in any way giving legal advice to the corporation.

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.