Advisory Opinion: 1802

Year Issued: 1998

RPC(s): RPC 1.15(b)(3); 1.5(b)(4); 1.15(d)

Subject: Withdrawal of lawyer as representative of client who acted against interests of other clients

The Committee researched and reviewed your inquiry concerning the withdrawal of a lawyer as a representative of a client who has acted against the interest of other clients and determined the following:

The RPC Committee responds to specific ethics inquiries. The question posed is not an ethics inquiry and, therefore, is not within the scope of this committee. In general, however, RPCs 1.15(b)(3), 1.15(b)(4) and 1.15(d) apply to concluding the relationship between attorneys and the specific clients.

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.