Opinion 1325

The Committee reviewed your inquiry concerning potential conflicts of interest in serving as a part-time municipal court judge. The question raised is whether you and members of your law firm could represent clients with positions adverse to the municipality in matters that are not within the jurisdiction of the municipal court. The Committee is of the opinion that the applicable rules are RPC 1.11 and 1.12, and, based upon the facts presented by you, nothing in those rules prohibits the conduct described in your inquiry.

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.