Advisory Opinion: 1056

Year Issued: 1987

RPC(s): RPC 1.9

Subject: Conflict of interest; receipt of documents from party later adverse to client

The Committee was of the opinion that, assuming that an attorney-client relationship had been established at the time the party now adverse to your client delivered documents to a member of your law firm, RPC 1.9 would not compel your withdrawal from the pending proceeding because it is not substantially related to the matter in which your firm had previously been consulted. In addition, it does not appear to the Committee that the documents delivered to your firm constitute confidences or secrets.

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.