Advisory Opinion: 896

Year Issued: 1985

RPC(s):

Subject: Establishment of independent law partnership in offices of management consulting firm

The question concerned two lawyers who intended to work in the offices of a management consulting firm with the law firm having separate letterhead, business cards, billing practices, telephone number, files and secretary, with a reception area shared with the management consulting firm. The law firm would not hold itself out as affiliated with the consulting firm and there would be no automatic referral system or fee sharing arrangements. The Committee was of the unanimous opinion that, under the facts as presented in your inquiry, there is no ethical impropriety in establishing an independent law partnership to operate out of the offices of the management consulting firm by which you and your partner would be employed.

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.