Advisory Opinion: 1696

Year Issued: 1997

RPC(s): RPC 1.9

Subject: Conflict of interest; lawyer collecting taxes from former client on behalf of current government employer

[The inquiry concerned collecting taxes from a former client on behalf of the lawyer's current government employer.] The applicable rule in this matter is RPC 1.9. The use of confidences or secrets obtained in private practice and relating to the representation of your former client to the disadvantage of your former client, would violate RPC 1.9.

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.