Advisory Opinion: 960

Year Issued: 1986

RPC(s): RPC 1.13

Subject: Client disability; parent seeks to terminate representation of child

The Committee is of the opinion that you were employed to represent an eight year old girl, and have now been instructed by the mother of the girl to cease the representation. Under the circumstances as presented by you, your conduct should be guided by RPC 1.13. Therefore, the Committee was of the opinion that at the present time you should withdraw and that you may get a guardian appointed for the minor child. The Committee was further of the opinion that, if the guardian wished to re-employ you to represent the girl, nothing in the Rules of Professional Conduct would prohibit you from doing so.

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.