Advisory Opinion: 1745

Year Issued: 1997

RPC(s): RPC 1.5; Formal Opinion 186

Subject: Fees for worker's compensation representation

Your question involves the permissibility of various attorneys' fee structures in the worker's compensation area.

The committee determined that attorney's fees in the area of industrial insurance are governed by statute and are accordingly a question of law. See RCW 51.52.120 et seq. The question posed appears to be under the purview of that statute. Because the Committee is not empowered to issue opinions on issues of law, the Committee has no opinion regarding this matter other than that lawyer's fees must be reasonable. The Committee draws your attention to RPC 1.5 and Formal Opinion 186.

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.