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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>What is the general consensus of an attorney acting as both a party attorney during negotiations and then service as the closing agent to a real property transaction? <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Logically, I think it is well within reason to represent one parties interests until that point where there is a meeting of the minds and then fulfill the duty of impartiality to both sides in carrying out the closing. I have not been able to find clear guidance in any secondary sources that I have access to, but anecdotally I know a few attorneys who do or have done it. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In my case law search for an answer it seems to be allowable in a commercial transaction so long as each party is independently represented. <i>Hurlbert v. Gordon</i>, 64 Wash. App. 386, 398 (Div. 1 1992); <i>see Stiley v. Block</i>, 130 Wash. 2d 486, 501-02 (1996). (also commercial transaction). <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Would that change in a non-commercial transaction, or where one of the parties is not represented? <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As a practical matter, to those that do it, is it just a matter of getting adequate written disclosures, consents, and encouraging the other side to obtain representation prior to closing?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Any thoughts or directions to good articels would be appreciated. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><b><span style='color:#1F497D'>Matthew R. Johnson|</span></b><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#1F497D'> </span></b><b><span style='color:#1F497D'>Attorney at Law</span></b><span style='color:#222222'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='color:#1F497D'>Gravis Law, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='color:#1F497D'>P.O. Box 182 | 350 E. Main St. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='color:#1F497D'>Dayton, WA 99328</span><span style='color:#222222'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='color:#1F497D'>509-382-2030 (office)<br></span><u><span style='color:#0563C1'><a href="https://www.gravislaw.com/" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>Website </span></a></span></u><span style='color:#1F497D'>- <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pub/matthew-r-johnson/2b/997/87a" target="_blank"><span style='color:#0563C1'>LinkedIn</span></a></span><span style='color:#222222'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='color:#222222'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='color:#1F497D'>NOTICE: This email (including any attachments) is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (EPCA), 18 U.S.C., Sec. 2510 - 2522, is confidential and privileged. This email is solely for the personal and confidential use of the recipient(s) named above. Receipt by anyone other than the individual recipient(s) is NOT a waiver of attorney-client privilege. Any violation of the ECPA is subject to the penalties stated therein. If you have received this message in error, please notify me immediately by reply e-mail to </span><u><span style='color:#222222;background:#FFFFCC'><a href="mailto:matt@gravislaw.com"><span style='color:blue'>matt@gravislaw.com</span></a></span></u><span style='color:#1F497D'> and immediately delete the original message.</span><span style='color:#222222'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>