Advisory Opinion: 1804

Year Issued: 1998

RPC(s): RPC 1.6

Subject: Client secret or confidence; request from Dept. of Corrections for names of inmates contacted by lawyer

The Committee researched and reviewed your inquiry concerning a request from the Department of Corrections for lawyer to disclose names of inmates contacted by the lawyer and determined the following:

Providing the requested information to the Department of Corrections is prohibited by RPC 1.6, absent the express consent of the client or a court order compelling such disclosure.

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.