Opinion 1243

The Committee reviewed your inquiry concerning whether you, working part-time on a contract basis with a law firm, could represent a client which the law firm has determined it could not represent because of a conflict of interest. The Committee understood that you personally had no prior representation of the client nor the other parties involved in the partnership or corporation nor in any present action by the law firm to recover attorney's fees owed by the corporation. The Committee was of the opinion, based upon the facts as presented, that you are associated with the law firm as that term is used in RPC 1.10(a), and therefore you can only represent this client if you are able to act in compliance with that rule.

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.