Advisory Opinion: 1057

Year Issued: 1986

RPC(s): RPC 1.9; 3.7

Subject: Conflict of interest; unemployment claim against corporation represented by lawyer; lawyer as witness

Because of the limited facts presented in your hypothetical question, the Committee could only give the opinion that the lawyer representing the corporation contesting the unemployment claim of its employee must comply with RPC 1.9. The Committee also noted that it might be that the lawyer involved would be required to be a witness in any litigation, and therefore RPC 3.7 might also apply.

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.