Committee on Professional Ethics
The Committee on Professional Ethics (CPE) issues advisory opinions to address recurring or emerging ethics issues facing WSBA members. The advisory opinions cover a broader context and provide in-depth guidance on the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) as applied to a wide variety of practice areas. Advisory opinions issued by the committee are published online.
Bar members seeking an advisory opinion from the CPE should direct their request to the staff liaison or the chair. See contact information listed below. If the request is accepted by the committee, a lengthy review process generally follows before a final opinion or other recommendation is issued. Those seeking a more immediate response should contact the Bar's Ethics Line.
The committee also plays a key role in reviewing and suggesting amendments to the RPC.
Recent Advisory Opinions
In October 2019, the CPE issued Advisory Opinion 201902 concerning a special assistant attorney general (SAAG) representing a government department in a claim against a third party, and Advisory Opinion 201903 regarding an inactive lawyer having a trust account to receive client settlement checks after retiring from practice.
In August 2019, the CPE issued Advisory Opinion 201901 regarding lawyer-mediator preparing legal documents for unrepresented parties in a dissolution. Advisory Opinion 2223 (2012) is withdrawn.
In August 2018, the CPE issued an advisory opinion regarding communication with represented government employees. Read Advisory Opinion 201803.
In July 2018, the CPE issued an advisory opinion concerning quadripartite and tripartite relationships and client confidentiality. Read Advisory Opinion 201802.
In April 2018, the CPE issued an advisory opinion on lawyers moving from firm to firm. Read Advisory Opinion 201801.More advisory opinions can be found on the Ethics Advisory Opinions database
Proposed Amendments to Rules of Professional Conduct
On Nov. 9, 2018, the Washington Supreme Court ordered publication on Dec. 4, 2018, suggested amendments to RPC 5.5, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 ,7.4, and 7.5. for comment. The comment period expired on April 30, 2019. See the Court's website for more information.
Adopted Amendments to Rules of Professional Conduct
On May 1, 2019, the Washington Supreme Court adopted amendments to RPC 1.0B, 1.17, 4.3, 5.8, and 8.1, effective June 4, 2019. See Order 25700-A-1258 .
On Nov. 1, 2018, the Washington Supreme Court adopted an amendment to RPC 1.12, effective Nov. 20, 2018. The only change was to Comment 1 which was updated with the current CJC citation.
On Sept. 5, 2018, the Court adopted amendments to RPC 1.2 and RPC 8.4 addressing lawyer conduct under Washington's marijuana laws, effective Sept. 25, 2018.
On June 7, 2018, the Court adopted the following amendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct, effective Sept. 1, 2018.
Committee Meetings
All meetings are held 10 a.m.–3 p.m. at the WSBA offices, 1325 Fourth Ave., Suite 600, Seattle, unless otherwise noted.
2019 — Oct. 23 and Dec. 5
2020 — Feb. 7, April 17, June 19, Aug. 21, Oct. 2, and Dec. 4
Minutes
Past minutes available by public records request.
Contact Us
To submit a request for an advisory opinion or for further information, please contact the staff liaison or the committee chair.
- Committee Chair J. Donald Curran, jdcvlc@dctpw.com
- WSBA Staff Liaison Jeanne Marie Clavere, jeannec@wsba.org
Questions or comments regarding the committee's on-going work may be directed to WSBACPE@wsba.org.
