Advisory Opinion: 1206

Year Issued: 1988

RPC(s): RPC 8.4(c); 8.4(d)

Subject: Client confidences and secrets; missing client; disclosure to natural father in adoption proceeding

The Committee was of the opinion that where you had obtained a consent to adoption from a natural father in connection with your client's proposed adoption and now your client has disappeared, preventing you from going forward with the adoption proceeding, RPC 8.4(c) & (d) would require you to advise the natural father that you are not going forward with the adoption proceeding. The Committee was of the opinion that you should disclose no further information than that.

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.