Advisory Opinion: 1131

Year Issued: 1987

RPC(s): RPC 4.2

Subject: Communication with party represented by counsel; bank providing collection services to party

With regard to your inquiry concerning an attorney's ex parte communication with a bank providing contract collection services to the seller, in a dispute between the seller and vendor on the contract, it was the opinion of the Committee that such conduct would not violate RPC 4.2 unless the vendor's lawyer knows that the bank is represented by a lawyer.

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.