Opinion 1160

[The lawyer represents a client in a wrongful discharge case against a national union. An associate in the lawyer's firm is retained by the local union office to perform legal services for union members, such as preparing wills and answering general legal questions. Both the attorney for the union and the client informed the lawyer that they did not object to his representation of the client, despite the associate's work for the local union.] Based upon the information presented in your inquiry, it appears to the Committee that the parties involved have been advised of the potential conflict of interest and have consented to your continued representation of your client, and therefore the Committee is of the opinion that nothing in the Rules of Professional Conduct would prohibit you from continuing in this course of conduct.

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.