Opinion 1262

The Committee is of the opinion that RPC 3.7 is not intended to prevent a lawyer who is a party defendant in an action from representing him or herself, nor intended to prevent a partner or associate of that lawyer from representing the defendant lawyer in those proceedings. Because the Committee believes this is an issue of broad interest to members of the Bar, it intends to draft a proposed Formal Opinion and submit it to the Board of Governors for a their consideration.

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.