Opinion 1188

The Committee reviewed your inquiry concerning referrals of clients to you by a client who is employed by a national religious organization to solicit intervivos and testamentary gifts to the religious foundation. The Committee understood the facts to be that the potential clients, if interested, would contact you and that the attorney-client relationship would be established directly between you and that the fee agreement would be negotiated between you. The Committee was of the opinion that based upon the facts as presented, this would not be in violation of RPC 7.3. The Committee did note that you should consider whether there would be any conflict between your duty to the client and any duty you may have to the organization.

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.