Opinion 1460

The Committee reviewed your inquiry concerning association with non-lawyers. [A credit services organization proposed to hire the lawyer in part to assist individuals in challenging items on credit reports.] The Committee was of the opinion that a lawyer rendering legal work for a corporation in circumstances described in your inquiry would involve the practice of law and the organization, by joining with the attorney would be "practicing law". Therefore, such conduct by the lawyer would violate RPC 5.4 and 5.5.

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.