Advisory Opinion: 1199

Year Issued: 1988

RPC(s): RPC 1.9(a)

Subject: Conflict of interest; representation of wife in divorce when represented husband in his prior dissolution

The Committee was of the opinion that where you had represented a husband in a dissolution proceeding in 1980 and you have now been asked by your former client's new wife to represent her in a new dissolution proceeding, you can only undertake the representation adverse to your former client by complying with the requirements of RPC 1.9(a), because the Committee was of the opinion that this representation was substantially related to the prior matter.

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.