Advisory Opinion: 936

Year Issued: 1985

RPC(s): RPC 1.12

Subject: Participation in matter by judge; representation by judge's law partner

The lawyer's law partner is a part-time court commissioner. Clients often present the lawyer with dissolution decrees, for which they seek enforcement or modification, signed by the lawyer's law partner. In response to your questions regarding your partnership with a part-time court commissioner, the Committee was of the opinion that signing of a default or agreed dissolution decree does constitute substantial participation in a matter as a judge when the parties return for post-decree action. The Committee was further of the opinion that any post-decree action in a cause does constitute the same "matter" as the one in which the judge signed the decree.

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.