Advisory Opinion: 1116

Year Issued: 1987

RPC(s): RPC 5.3; 5.5

Subject: Nonlawyer assistants; unauthorized practice of law; documents prepared by collection agency and signed by lawyer

The Committee considered your inquiry concerning your representation of a collection agency in which the collection agency would prepare legal documents, such as complaints, writs of garnishment, answers, etc., using forms prepared by you. You would then review each individual document and sign them accordingly after reviewing the individual file in each case. Based upon that information, the Committee was of the opinion that you would be in compliance with RPC 5.3 and 5.5.

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.