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. 
 
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14-Ownership of Files and Attorney Lien Issues

A lawyer may not refuse to let a former client or the former client's new lawyer know the contents of the client's file in the lawyer's possession. At a minimum, the lawyer must advise the former client of portions of the file that belong to the client or for which no further fee is owed. ([Rule 1.16(e) now governs a lawyer's duty to provide files to a former client.]

Copyright 2000, Thomas E. Spahn