Advisory Opinion: 1550

Year Issued: 1993

RPC(s):

Subject: Conflict of interest; criminal defense lawyer on leave of absence from public defender agency accepting referrals from agency

The Committee reviewed your inquiry concerning your accepting assigned cases from [a public defender agency] after you have taken a leave of absence from the agency to establish a private practice. The Committee was of the opinion that to the degree assigned cases are unrelated to [the agency], and there is no co-defendant or necessary witness presently or previously represented by [the agency], you may take such cases so long as you comply with the other conflict rules.

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.