Advisory Opinion: 1382

Year Issued: 1990

RPC(s): RPC 1.6; Formal Opinion 183

Subject: Client confidence or secret; review of agency records during audit

The Committee reviewed your inquiry concerning disclosure of client confidences by your agency to your federal administrators during an audit. The Committee was of the opinion that Formal Opinion #183 and RPC 1.6 prohibit your office from disclosing client confidences or secrets without client consent.

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.