Advisory Opinion: 1423

Year Issued: 1991

RPC(s): RPC 1.2; 1.15

Subject: Commencement of attorney-client relationship; public defender

The Committee reviewed your inquiry concerning the scope of representation of your [public defender] office regarding clients appointed by the court for representation by attorneys in your office. The Committee was of the opinion that the attorney\client relationship begins when the court appoints a lawyer to represent a client, and that thereafter the lawyer's obligation is to represent the best interests of the client.

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.