www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_06_05_00.pdf
RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT (RPC)
Table of Rules
Fundamental Principles of Professional Conduct
PREAMBLE AND SCOPE
Preamble: A Lawyer's Responsibilities Scope
Rule
1.0A Terminology
1.0B Additional Washington Terminology
TITLE 1 CLIENT-LAWYER RELATIONSHIP
1.1 Competence
1.2 Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority Between Client and Lawyer
1.3 Diligence
1.4 Communication
1.5 Fees
1.6 Confidentiality of Information
1.7 Conflict of Interest: Current Clients
1.8 Conflict of Interest: Current Clients: Specific Rules
1.9 Duties to Former Clients
1.10 Imputation of Conflicts of Interest: General Rule
1.11 Special Conflicts of Interest for Former and Current Government Officers and Employees
1.12 Former Judge, Arbitrator, Mediator or Other Third-Party Neutral
1.13 Organization as Client
1.14 Client with Diminished Capacity
1.15A Safeguarding Property
1.15B Required Trust Account Records
1.16 Declining or Terminating Representation
1.17 Sale of Law Practice
1.18 Duties to Prospective Client
TITLE 2 COUNSELOR
2.1 Advisor
2.2 (Deleted)
2.3 Evaluation for Use by Third Persons
2.4 Lawyer Serving as Third-Party Neutral
TITLE 3 ADVOCATE
3.1 Meritorious Claims and Contentions
3.2 Expediting Litigation
3.3 Candor Toward the Tribunal
3.4 Fairness to Opposing Party
3.5 Impartiality and Decorum of the Tribunal
3.6 Trial Publicity
3.7 Lawyer as Witness
3.8 Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor
3.9 Advocate in Nonadjudicative Proceedings
TITLE 4 TRANSACTIONS WITH PERSONS OTHER THAN CLIENTS
4.1 Truthfulness in Statements to Others
4.2 Communication With Person Represented by a Lawyer
4.3 Dealing With Person Not Represented by a Lawyer
4.4 Respect for Rights of Third Person
TITLE 5 LAW FIRMS AND ASSOCIATIONS
5.1 Responsibilities of Partners, Managers, and Supervisory Lawyers
5.2 Responsibilities of a Subordinate Lawyer
5.3 Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistants
5.4 Professional Independence of a Lawyer
5.5 Unauthorized Practice of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law
5.6 Restrictions on Right to Practice
5.7 Responsibilities Regarding Law-Related Services
5.8 Misconduct Involving Lawyers and LLLTs Not Actively Licensed to Practice Law
5.9 Business Structures Involving LLLT and Lawyer Ownership
5.10 Responsibilities Regarding Other Legal Practitioners
TITLE 6 PUBLIC SERVICE
6.1 Pro Bono Publico Service
6.2 Accepting Appointments
6.3 Membership in Legal Services Organization
6.4 Law Reform Activities Affecting Client Interests
6.5 Nonprofit and Court-Annexed Limited Legal Service Programs
TITLE 7 INFORMATION ABOUT LEGAL SERVICES
7.1 Communications Concerning a Lawyers Services
7.2 Advertising
7.3 Direct Contact with Prospective Clients
7.4 Communication of Fields of Practice and Specialization
7.5 Firm Names and Letterheads
7.6 Political Contributions to Obtain Government Legal Engagements or Appointments by
Judges
TITLE 8 MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROFESSION
8.1 Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters
8.2 Judicial and Legal Officials
8.3 Reporting Professional Misconduct
8.4 Misconduct
8.5 Disciplinary Authority; Choice of Law
Appendix: Guidelines for Applying Rule of 3.6
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_FUNDAMENTAL%20PRINCIPLES.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_PREAMBLEANDSCOPE.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_PREAMBLEANDSCOPE.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_0A_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_0B_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_01_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_02_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_03_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_04_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_05_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_06_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_07_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_08_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_09_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_10_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_11_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_12_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_13_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_14_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_15A_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_15B_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_16_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_17_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_18_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_02_01_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_02_02_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_02_03_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_02_04_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_03_01_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_03_02_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_03_03_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_03_04_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_03_05_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_03_06_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_03_07_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_03_08_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_03_09_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_04_01_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_04_02_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_04_03_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_04_04_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_05_01_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_05_02_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_05_03_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_05_04_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_05_05_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_05_06_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_05_07_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_05_08_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_05_09_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_05_10_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_06_01_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_06_02_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_06_03_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_06_04_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_07_01_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_07_02_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_07_03_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_07_04_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_07_05_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_07_06_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_08_01_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_08_02_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_08_03_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_08_04_00.pdf
www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_08_05_00.pdf
APPENDIX
GUIDELINES FOR APPLYING RULE OF PROFESIONAL CONDUCT 3.6
I. Criminal
A. The kind of statement referred to in Rule 3.6 which may potentially prejudice criminal proceedings is a
statement which relates to:
(1) The character, credibility, reputation or criminal record of a suspect or defendant;
(2) The possibility of a plea of guilty to the offense or the existence or contents of a confession, admission
or statement given by a suspect or defendant or that persons refusal or failure to make a statement;
(3) The performance or results of any investigative examination or test such as a polygraph examination or a
laboratory test or the failure of a person to submit to an examination or test;
(4) Any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any suspect or defendant;
(5) The credibility or anticipated testimony of a prospective witness; and
(6) Information the lawyer knows or reasonably should know is likely to be inadmissible as evidence in a trial.
B. The public has a legitimate interest in the conduct of judicial proceedings and the administration of
justice. Lawyers involved in the litigation of criminal matters may state without elaboration:
(1) The general nature of the charge or defense;
(2) The information contained in the public record; and
(3) The scheduling of any step in litigation, including a scheduled court hearing to enter a plea of guilty.
C. The public also has a right to know about threats to its safety and measures aimed at assuring its security.
Toward that end a public prosecutor or other lawyer involved in the investigation of a criminal case may state:
(1) That an investigation is in progress, including the general scope of the investigation and, except when
prohibited by law, the identity of the persons involved;
(2) A request for assistance in obtaining evidence and information;
(3) A warning of danger concerning the behavior of a person involved when there is reason to believe that there
exists the likelihood of substantial harm to an individual or to the public interest; and
(4)
(i) The identity, residence, occupation and family status of the accused;
(ii) information necessary to aid in apprehension of the accused;
(iii) the fact, time and place of arrest; and
(iv) the identity of investigating and arresting officers or agencies and the length of the investigation.
II. Civil
The kind of statement referred to in Rule 3.6 which may potentially prejudice civil matters triable to a
jury is a statement designed to influence the jury or to detract from the impartiality of the proceedings.
[Amended effective September 1, 2006.]
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