Summary

• Jurisdiction: Washington

Chapter Details

A. State Materials

1. Rules

RPC 1.6 (authorized disclosure)

RPC 1.8(b) (use of client's information)

RPC 1.9(c) (use of former client's information)

RPC 1.13(c) (disclosure to protect entity clients)

RPC 1.14(c) (duties to clients with diminished capacity)

RPC 1.18 (duties to prospective client)

RPC 3.3 (duty of candor in judicial proceedings)

ELC 3.4 (discretion of WSBA to release confidential information)

ELC 5.4(b) (disclosure of confidential information during disciplinary proceedings)

2. Statutes

RCW 5.60.060(2)(a) (attorney-client privilege)

B. Federal Materials

1. Statutes

15 U.S.C. §7245 (Sarbanes-Oxley Act)

2. Regulations

17 C.F.R. §205.3 (permitting disclosure of confidences by securities lawyers in certain contexts)

C. Key Differences Between Washington RPC and ABA MRPC

1. Language added to ABA MRPC

RPC 1.6(b)(1)-(7)

RPC 1.18(b), (c), (e) (new)

RPC 3.3(a)-(f) (most of MRPC 3.3 has been rewritten)

2. Revisions to ABA Comments

RPC 1.6 cmts. [1], [6], [13], [15]

RPC 1.8 cmt. [5]

RPC 1.18 cmt. [2]

RPC 3.3 cmts. [1], [3], [7], [12], [15]

3. Reserved/Not Adopted ABA Comments

RPC 1.6 cmts. [7], [8], [12]

RPC 1.18 cmt. [5]

RPC 3.3 cmts. [5], [9], [10]

4. Additional Washington Comments

RPC 1.6 Wash. cmts. [19]-[26], but reserving [21], [22]

RPC 1.18 Wash. cmts. [10]-[13]

SUMMARY OF CONTENTS

I.

Introduction to the Duty of Confidentiality A. Rationale B. Definitions

II.

Scope of the Ethical Duty of Confidentiality A. Threshold Issues 1. Duration of the Duty 2. Disclosure Versus Use B. Principal Exceptions to the Duty of Confidentiality 1. Authorized Disclosure and Disclosure in the Interest of the Client a. Authorized Disclosure Under RPC 1.6 b. RPC 1.13(c): Disclosures to Protect Entity Clients 2. Prevention of Injury to Third Persons a. Required Disclosures i. RPC 1.6(b)(1): Prevention of Death or Substantial Bodily Harm ii. ELC 5.3, 5.4: Disclosure to Respond to Disciplinary Investigation b. Permissive Disclosures i. RPC 1.6(b)(2): Future Crimes Exception ii. RPC 1.6(b)(3): Preventing, Mitigating, or Rectifying the Consequences of Client Crimes and Frauds iii. RPC 1.6(b)(7): Breach of Fiduciary Duty by Court-Appointed Fiduciaries 3. Permissive Disclosures Becoming Duties: Duties Imposed by RPC 3.3 a. Prospective Perjury by Client b.

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