Opinion 1594

As you know from being present during the Committee's discussion of this matter, the Committee reviewed your inquiry concerning the ethical implications of acting as a part-time in house or corporate counsel for more than one business. The Committee understood that you would be employed by your clients and not simply on retainer. After discussion, the Committee agreed that nothing in the RPCs prohibit a lawyer from being part-time, in house corporate counsel for more than one client, so long as communication of such status was not misleading and the lawyer followed the requirements of RPC 4.1, 7.1 and 8.4(c).

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.