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<p class="MsoNormal">I think the exceptions are not well-defined, and the advisory opinion it cites isn’t super detailed either. I wouldn’t necessarily provide handwritten notes of my phone calls. For what it’s worth, my notes of a phone call with the client
aren’t something I would provide; I charge for the conversation but the notes are for my own use, not intended to convey anything meaningful to anybody but me. (A summary memo of the conversation I might actually produce, on the other hand.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com"><span style="color:#0563C1">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background:aqua;mso-highlight:aqua;mso-ligatures:none">Covid-19 Update -
</span></b><span style="mso-ligatures:none">All attorneys are working remotely during regular business hours and are available via email and by phone. Videoconferencing also is available. Signing of estate planning documents can be completed and will be handled
on a case-by-case basis. Please direct mail and deliveries to the Seattle office.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-ligatures:none">From:</span></b><span style="mso-ligatures:none"> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Diane J. Kiepe<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, May 16, 2023 4:56 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] ethics section<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Oh My – Thanks Eric – For some reason, in my mind, I thought handwritten notes in phone calls and such did not have to be turned over. Based on the note below, I should
have provided that as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Script MT Bold";mso-ligatures:none">Diane J. Kiepe<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Script MT Bold";mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Diane J. Kiepe<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Douglas Eden<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">717 W. Sprague Ave.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Suite 1500<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Spokane, WA 99201<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><a href="mailto:djkiepe@depdslaw.com">djkiepe@depdslaw.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">509-455-5300<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-ligatures:none">From:</span></b><span style="mso-ligatures:none">
<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Roger Hawkes<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, May 16, 2023 4:40 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] ethics section<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric: I assume, but am double checking; does the part below not in quotes, qualify as your opinion? Or something else?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-ligatures:none">From:</span></b><span style="mso-ligatures:none">
<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Eric Nelsen<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, May 16, 2023 11:59 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] ethics section<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From Washington Legal Ethics Deskbook – Ch. 6.3(4)(b) Law Practice Management (Washington Legal Ethics Deskbook (WSBA) (2020)):<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">WSBA Advisory Op. 181 (1987; amended 2009) succinctly summarizes the rule on file transition: "At the conclusion of a representation, unless there is an express agreement to the contrary, the file generated in the course of [a] representation,
with limited exceptions, must be turned over to the client at the client's request, and if the lawyer wishes to retain copies for the lawyer's use, the copies must be made at the lawyer's expense." The limited exceptions normally include a lawyer's notes relating
to the business relationship with the client, such as conflict checks and collection notes, that were not charged to the client and general research memoranda, such as a memo prepared in another matter dealing with the same legal issue, that were not billed
to the client. Further, as noted in Advisory Opinion 181, unless the lawyer's fee agreement with the client provides otherwise, the lawyer may not bill the client for the cost of making a copy for the lawyer's retention for record-keeping or loss-avoidance
purposes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Although Advisory Opinion 181 does not address at length the form in which a lawyer's file is maintained, fairly read it suggests that documents maintained in electronic form fall within its scope if not available in corresponding hard
copy form. By contrast, routine "metadata" embedded within an electronic copy of a document but not apparent in its hard copy form does not appear to fall within its parameters unless it reflects material attorney-client communications or work product for
which the client has a need. See ABA Comm. on Ethics & Prof'l Responsibility, Formal Op. 06-442 (2006) (discussing electronic metadata). Metadata and other law firm information that may be confidential from the client are discussed further in Chapter 7 (Confidentiality)
of this deskbook. See also WSBA Advisory Op. 2211 (2011) about files in criminal cases.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background:aqua;mso-highlight:aqua;mso-ligatures:none">Covid-19 Update -
</span></b><span style="mso-ligatures:none">All attorneys are working remotely during regular business hours and are available via email and by phone. Videoconferencing also is available. Signing of estate planning documents can be completed and will be handled
on a case-by-case basis. Please direct mail and deliveries to the Seattle office.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-ligatures:none">From:</span></b><span style="mso-ligatures:none">
<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Diane J. Kiepe<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, May 16, 2023 11:30 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv' <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] ethics section<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Can someone help me with a quick citation to what a client is entitled to in WA when they request their “file”?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Thanks in advance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Script MT Bold";mso-ligatures:none">Diane J. Kiepe<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:"Script MT Bold";mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Diane J. Kiepe<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Douglas Eden<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">717 W. Sprague Ave.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Suite 1500<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Spokane, WA 99201<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><a href="mailto:djkiepe@depdslaw.com">djkiepe@depdslaw.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">509-455-5300<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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