Advisory Opinion: 1340

Year Issued: 1990

RPC(s): RPC 1.7

Subject: Conflict of interest; law firm accepting criminal defense appointments also represents county sheriff and member of firm married to prosecutor

The Committee reviewed your inquiry concerning criminal defense appointments to your law firm which also represents the county sheriff and one lawyer in your firm is married to the prosecuting attorney in one of the towns in your area. The Committee understood that you had agreed to accept such appointments, but that you intend to disclose any conflicts in open court and obtain client consent. The court had also agreed not to appoint any defendant arrested by the county sheriff's office to your firm. The Committee was of the opinion that this proposed arrangement would comply with RPC 1.7 and therefore was permissible.

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.