Advisory Opinion: 1401

Year Issued: 1991

RPC(s): RPC 1.7; 1.8

Subject: Conflict of interest; business transaction with client; lawyer representing cooperative housing corporation intends to purchase unit from the corporation

The Committee reviewed your inquiry concerning your representation of a cooperative corporation from which you intend to purchase a unit in the housing project being constructed by the corporation. [The lawyer made full disclosure to the client and obtained consent in writing.] The Committee was of the opinion that a lawyer in your situation could reasonably conclude that she could represent the corporation, and no facts presented by you indicate that such a conclusion is not reasonable. The only exception was that the Committee was of the opinion that you could not represent the corporation in your own transaction with it.

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.