Advisory Opinion: 1585

Year Issued: 1994

RPC(s):

Subject: Disclosure of client records to client's new counsel

The RPC Committee reviewed your question of whether a law firm is required to disclose time and/or billing records of former clients to attorneys presently representing those clients. The Committee was of the opinion that your law firm is not required to respond to a request for information unless the request is made by one of your law firm's former clients.

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.