Advisory Opinion: 1321

Year Issued: 1989

RPC(s): RPC 1.8(a)

Subject: Negotiating fee agreements for new matters with existing clients

On September 22, 1989, the Rules of Professional Conduct Committee reviewed your inquiry concerning the application of Rule 1.8(a) of the Rules of Professional Conduct to the negotiation of new fee agreements [for other legal matters] with existing clients of a lawyer. The Committee was of the unanimous opinion that RPC 1.8(a) does not apply to attorney/client fee agreements.

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.