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. 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.
Advisory Opinions
In April 2018, the CPE issued an advisory opinion on lawyers moving from firm to firm. Read Advisory Opinion 201801.
In July 2017, the CPE issued an advisory opinion addressing the disclosure of confidential client information in the context of a motion to withdraw in Washington Superior Court. Read Advisory Opinion 201701.
The CPE is currently reviewing Advisory Opinion 2223 regarding the ethics of lawyer-mediators preparing legal documents for unrepresented parties. A special public comment meeting was held on May 9, 2017, by the subcommittee reviewing the opinion. The comment period ended May 31, 2017.
In October 2016, the CPE issued Advisory Opinion 201601 on the ethical considerations of a Virtual Law Office.
More advisory opinions can be found on the Ethics Advisory Opinions database.
Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct
On November 2017, the Washington Supreme Court published for comment suggested amendments to 4.2. The comment period expired April 30, 2018.
Adopted Amendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct
On Dec. 6, 2017, the Washington Supreme Court adopted amendments to RPC 1.0A, 1.10, and 1.11, effective Sept. 1, 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 at 1325 Fourth Ave., Suite 600, Seattle, unless otherwise noted.
2017 — Oct. 20 and Dec. 15
2018 — Feb. 9, April 20, June 22, and Aug. 24
Minutes
Past minutes can be obtained by making a public records request.
Contact Us
Contact the staff liaison or the committee chair to submit an ethics inquiry or for further information.
- Committee Chair J. Donald Curran, jdcvlc@dctpw.com
- WSBA Staff Liaison Jeanne Marie Clavere, jeannec@wsba.org
For public comments regarding the committee's ongoing work, please submit them to WSBACPE@wsba.org.
