Advisory Opinion: 1409

Year Issued: 1991

RPC(s): RPC 1.1; 1.4(b)

Subject: Disclosure to client of adverse lawyer's prior representation of court commissioner

The Committee was of the opinion that if it were pertinent to a client's case to know that an adverse party was represented by a court commissioner's former lawyer, the RPC 1.1 and 1.4(b) would require that you disclose that information. Regarding your question of what to do if a client objects to appearing before that Commissioner, the Committee was of the opinion that that does not present an ethical question, but is rather a practice question on which the Committee could render no opinion.

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.