Advisory Opinion: 1772

Year Issued: 1997

RPC(s): RLD 1.1(h); RLD 8.2; Formal Opinion 184; RCW 2.48.220

Subject: Employment of suspended lawyer as paralegal, clerk or assistant in law office

[The inquiry concerned] the ethical propriety of a lawyer employing "as a paralegal, clerk, or assistant of any kind" a lawyer who has been suspended from the practice of law. It is the Committee's opinion that a suspended lawyer is not allowed to serve as a paralegal, clerk or assistant in law related matters. See RLD 1.1(h) as referenced in Formal Opinion 184, RLD 8.2, and RCW 2.48.220.

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.