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<p class="MsoNormal">Oy, what a mess! The lawyer changed clients midstream, from one side of the transaction to the other? Is there something expressly stating that in the file, or is the "appearance" because the lawyer unwisely gave advice to the parents when
sending the document that he was drafting for his client, the son?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I would analyze the lawyer's communications with the parents to see if I can argue that the lawyer never switched clients, but in fact represented the son the entire time. I think that the key would be whether the lawyer
<b><i>in fact</i></b> created an attorney-client relationship with the parents, which is partly a subjective standard on whether the parents reasonably believed that they had retained the attorney. If you can show that the attorney-client relationship never
formed between lawyer and parents, then the attorney-client privilege shouldn't attach.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From WSBA Law of Lawyering (2012), which has a much more extended discussion than this excerpt:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="bodytext2" style="margin-right:3.75pt;text-indent:15.0pt;background:white">
<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman-Roman",serif;color:black">The principal case law in Washington on when and whether an attorney-client relationship has been formed is found in the legal malpractice cases. This is because it is usually
necessary to prove the existence of an attorney-client relationship in order to prove legal malpractice.<a name="ftn_26"></a><a href="https://washington.casemakerlibra.com/home/libra_2.aspx?login=6a6566664073617972656c61776f6666696365732e636f6d&st=WA&pd=dac858bd52e7cec443f5e6219def273d0fa0441413508ca4b1ff0f8ecdb447de&bookid=9085&p=8210#_ftn_26"><span style="mso-bookmark:ftn_26"><sup>26</sup></span><span style="mso-bookmark:ftn_26"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:ftn_26"></span> But
the rules relating to the formation of the attorney-client relationship apply in both the malpractice and the disciplinary contexts.<a name="ftn_27"></a><a href="https://washington.casemakerlibra.com/home/libra_2.aspx?login=6a6566664073617972656c61776f6666696365732e636f6d&st=WA&pd=dac858bd52e7cec443f5e6219def273d0fa0441413508ca4b1ff0f8ecdb447de&bookid=9085&p=8210#_ftn_27"><span style="mso-bookmark:ftn_27"><sup>27</sup></span><span style="mso-bookmark:ftn_27"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:ftn_27"></span> Examination
of the cases shows that Washington follows the principles summarized in the prior paragraphs. Thus, the state Supreme Court has summarized the law on the relationship as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="bodyindent" style="mso-margin-top-alt:9.0pt;margin-right:3.75pt;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:35.0pt;text-align:justify;background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px">
<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">[T]he essence of the attorney-client relationship is whether the attorney’s assistance or advice is sought and received on legal matters. <i>Jones v. Allstate Ins. Co</i>., 146 Wash.2d
291, 306, <a href="http://links.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=45+P.3d+1068&fn=The%20Law%20of%20Lawyering%20In%20Washington" target="_new">45 P.3d 1068</a> (2002); <i>Bohn</i> [<i>v. Cody</i>], 119 Wash.2d [357,
363 (1992)]. An attorney-client relationship may be implied from the parties’ conduct; it need not be memorialized in writing. <i>Bohn</i>, 119 Wash.2d at 363. Whether or not a fee is paid is not dispositive, for “[t]he existence of the [attorney-client] relationship
‘turns largely on the client’s subjective belief that it exists.’” <i>Id.</i> (quoting <i>In re Disciplinary Proceeding Against McGlothlen</i>, 99 Wash.2d 515, 522, <a href="http://links.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=663+P.2d+1330&fn=The%20Law%20of%20Lawyering%20In%20Washington" target="_new">663
P.2d 1330</a> (1983)). However, the subjective belief must be “reasonably formed based on the attending circumstances, including the attorney’s words or actions.” <i>Id.</i> n.8.<a name="ftn_28"></a><a href="https://washington.casemakerlibra.com/home/libra_2.aspx?login=6a6566664073617972656c61776f6666696365732e636f6d&st=WA&pd=dac858bd52e7cec443f5e6219def273d0fa0441413508ca4b1ff0f8ecdb447de&bookid=9085&p=8210#_ftn_28"><span style="mso-bookmark:ftn_28"><sup>28</sup></span><span style="mso-bookmark:ftn_28"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:ftn_28"></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="footnotes" style="background:white"><a name="_ftn_26"></a><a href="https://washington.casemakerlibra.com/home/libra_2.aspx?login=6a6566664073617972656c61776f6666696365732e636f6d&st=WA&pd=dac858bd52e7cec443f5e6219def273d0fa0441413508ca4b1ff0f8ecdb447de&bookid=9085&p=8210#ftn_26"><span style="mso-bookmark:_ftn_26"><sup><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">26.</span></sup></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_ftn_26"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_ftn_26"></span><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Hizey
v. Carpenter</span></i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">, <a href="http://links.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=119+Wn.2d+251&fn=The%20Law%20of%20Lawyering%20In%20Washington" target="_new">119
Wn.2d 251</a>, 260, <a href="http://links.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=830+P.2d+646&fn=The%20Law%20of%20Lawyering%20In%20Washington" target="_new">830 P.2d 646</a> (1992); <i>Sherry v. Diercks</i>, <a href="http://links.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=29+Wn.+App.+433&fn=The%20Law%20of%20Lawyering%20In%20Washington" target="_new">29
Wn. App. 433</a>, 437, <a href="http://links.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=628+P.2d+1336&fn=The%20Law%20of%20Lawyering%20In%20Washington" target="_new">628 P.2d 1336</a>, <i>review denied</i>, 96 Wn.2d 1003 (1981); <i>Hansen
v. Wightman</i>, <a href="http://links.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=14+Wn.App.+78&fn=The%20Law%20of%20Lawyering%20In%20Washington" target="_new">14 Wn.App. 78</a>, 88, <a href="http://links.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=538+P.2d+1238&fn=The%20Law%20of%20Lawyering%20In%20Washington" target="_new">538
P.2d 1238</a> (1975); <i>see also Bowman v. Two</i>, <a href="http://links.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=104+Wn.2d+181&fn=The%20Law%20of%20Lawyering%20In%20Washington" target="_new">104 Wn.2d 181</a>, 185, <a href="http://links.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=704+P.2d+140&fn=The%20Law%20of%20Lawyering%20In%20Washington" target="_new">704
P.2d 140</a> (1985) (exploring the question of when persons who are not clients might have malpractice claims against an attorney, but disapproving of <i>Hansen v. Wightman </i>as going too far in this regard).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="footnotes" style="background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px">
<a name="_ftn_27"></a><a href="https://washington.casemakerlibra.com/home/libra_2.aspx?login=6a6566664073617972656c61776f6666696365732e636f6d&st=WA&pd=dac858bd52e7cec443f5e6219def273d0fa0441413508ca4b1ff0f8ecdb447de&bookid=9085&p=8210#ftn_27"><span style="mso-bookmark:_ftn_27"><sup><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">27.</span></sup></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_ftn_27"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_ftn_27"></span><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">See
In re McGlothlen</span></i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">, <a href="http://links.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=99+Wn.2d+515&fn=The%20Law%20of%20Lawyering%20In%20Washington" target="_new">99
Wn.2d 515</a>, <a href="http://links.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=663+P.2d+1330&fn=The%20Law%20of%20Lawyering%20In%20Washington" target="_new">663 P.2d 1330</a> (1983).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="footnotes" style="background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px">
<a name="_ftn_28"></a><a href="https://washington.casemakerlibra.com/home/libra_2.aspx?login=6a6566664073617972656c61776f6666696365732e636f6d&st=WA&pd=dac858bd52e7cec443f5e6219def273d0fa0441413508ca4b1ff0f8ecdb447de&bookid=9085&p=8210#ftn_28"><span style="mso-bookmark:_ftn_28"><sup><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">28.</span></sup></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_ftn_28"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_ftn_28"></span><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">In
re Egger</span></i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">, <a href="http://links.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=152+Wn.2d+393&fn=The%20Law%20of%20Lawyering%20In%20Washington" target="_new">152
Wn.2d 393</a>, 410-11, <a href="http://links.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=98+P.3d+477&fn=The%20Law%20of%20Lawyering%20In%20Washington" target="_new">98 P.3d 477</a> (2004).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="footnotes" style="background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px">
<a name="_ftn_29"></a><a href="https://washington.casemakerlibra.com/home/libra_2.aspx?login=6a6566664073617972656c61776f6666696365732e636f6d&st=WA&pd=dac858bd52e7cec443f5e6219def273d0fa0441413508ca4b1ff0f8ecdb447de&bookid=9085&p=8210#ftn_29"><span style="mso-bookmark:_ftn_29"><sup><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">29.</span></sup></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_ftn_29"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_ftn_29"></span><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Conner
v. Hodgdon</span></i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">, <a href="http://links.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=120+Wash.+426&fn=The%20Law%20of%20Lawyering%20In%20Washington" target="_new">120
Wash. 426</a>, 431-32, <a href="http://links.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=207+P.+675&fn=The%20Law%20of%20Lawyering%20In%20Washington" target="_new">207 P. 675</a> (1922) (internal quotation marks omitted).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="footnotes" style="background:white;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px">
<a name="_ftn_30"></a><a href="https://washington.casemakerlibra.com/home/libra_2.aspx?login=6a6566664073617972656c61776f6666696365732e636f6d&st=WA&pd=dac858bd52e7cec443f5e6219def273d0fa0441413508ca4b1ff0f8ecdb447de&bookid=9085&p=8210#ftn_30"><span style="mso-bookmark:_ftn_30"><sup><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">30.</span></sup></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_ftn_30"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_ftn_30"></span><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Bohn
v. Cody</span></i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">, <a href="http://links.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=119+Wn.2d+357&fn=The%20Law%20of%20Lawyering%20In%20Washington" target="_new">119
Wn.2d 357</a>, 363, <a href="http://links.casemakerlegal.com/states/WA/books/Case_Law/results?ci=14&search%5bCite%5d=832+P.2d+71&fn=The%20Law%20of%20Lawyering%20In%20Washington" target="_new">832 P.2d 71</a> (1992).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background:aqua;mso-highlight:aqua">Covid-19 Update -
</span></b>All attorneys are working remotely during regular business hours and are available via email and by phone; please call the Seattle office. Videoconferencing also is available. Signing of estate planning documents can be completed and will be handled
on a case-by-case basis; please call the Seattle office.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">MAIL AND DELIVERIES can be received at the Seattle office. For any other needed arrangements, please call the Seattle office.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<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>From:</b> wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Jeff Davis<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, October 8, 2020 11:33 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'WSBA Real Property Listserv' <wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBARP] Ethical Question<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Listmate,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Client (the son) is in a dispute with parents over a deal where the parents allegedly were to transfer real property to him. Son goes to his lawyer to draft the agreement but some where in this process the lawyer appeared to switch sides
and represented the parents. The contract(s) were drafted and signed. The terms are not clear. Lawyer dies and this particular file went to his daughter. I located her and had her find that file and send it to me. I told opposing counsel (who now represents
the parents) what I was doing. The only response was if that file contained the parents’ estate planning documents that I could not share them with my client. There were no estate planning documents in the file.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The file contained emails from parents to lawyer which are beneficial to our case. I know the attorney client privilege survives death. Can I use the emails and what ever else is in the file?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jeff Davis<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">W. Jeff Davis, Esq.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">BELL & DAVIS PLLC<br>
P.O. Box 510<br>
Sequim WA 98382<br>
Phone No.:(360) 683.1129 <br>
Fax No.: (360) 683.1258 <br>
email: <a href="mailto:info@bellanddavispllc.com"><span style="color:blue">info@bellanddavispllc.com</span></a><br>
<a href="http://www.bellanddavispllc.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">www.bellanddavispllc.com</span></a><br>
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