These summaries were prepared by McGuireWoods LLP lawyer Thomas E. Spahn. They are based on the letter opinions issued by the Virginia State Bar. Any editorial comments reflect Mr. Spahn's current personal views, and not the opinions of the Virginia State Bar, McGuireWoods or its clients.

LEO Num	Topics	Summary
1141	26-Fruits and Instrumentalities of Crimes 27-Litigation Tactics (Including Misrepresentations, Tape Recordings)	A lawyer representing a widow in a medical malpractice/wrongful death action may use files taken by the widow from the treating physician's office. The files are not "fruits of a crime" but the lawyer should advise the widow to return the original of the file. The lawyer could keep and use a copy of it. [This LEO was overruled by LEO 1702.]

Copyright 2000, Thomas E. Spahn