Advisory Opinion: 1524

Year Issued: 1993

RPC(s): RPC 7.2(c)

Subject: Sale of law practice

The Committee was of the unanimous opinion that there is no per se prohibition against selling a law practice including "goodwill" but that you should be mindful of your clients' rights to have their confidences protected, to be informed of the sale transaction, to be informed of their right to select a lawyer other than the purchaser and you must comply with RPC 7.2(c). The Committee was also of the unanimous opinion that restrictive covenants are permitted as part of the sale of a law practice, but that the issue of the propriety of any particular restriction is a legal question beyond the Committee's authority.

[Editor's Note: See Formal Opinion 192]

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.