Advisory Opinion: 1459

Year Issued: 1992

RPC(s): RPC 1.7

Subject: Conflict of interest; lawyer serves as city attorney, county public defender and coroner

The Committee reviewed your inquiry concerning fulfilling multiple roles in your professional capacity, including private practice, city attorney and coroner for [a city], and accepting indigent appeals for [a] County. The committee was of the opinion that such multiple representation presents conflicts of interests and that a lawyer could only practice in all of those roles if the lawyer can comply with the requirements of RPC 1.7(a). The Committee expressed serious doubts that any lawyer could comply with that rule under the circumstances.

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.