Advisory Opinion: 1405

Year Issued: 1991

RPC(s): RPC 8.4(c)

Subject: Advising client of professional liability insurance

The Committee was of the opinion that nothing in the Rules of Professional Conduct requires that a lawyer advise a client that the lawyer has malpractice insurance. If the client asks the lawyer whether the lawyer carried such insurance, the lawyer must either answer honestly or decline to answer the question.

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.