Advisory Opinion: 954

Year Issued: 1985

RPC(s):

Subject: Client communication; lawyer unable to locate client

The Committee was of the opinion that in this case where you had been employed on behalf of a jail inmate to pursue a personal injury claim on his behalf, and he subsequently escaped and you are unable to be in contact with him, you are precluded from taking any action on his behalf, which includes entering into a settlement agreement or filing suit. The Committee was of the opinion that, at this point, you should send a notice of withdrawal to the last known address of your 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.