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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20-Government Official Conflicts

A lawyer who formerly served on a county's Planning Commission may represent clients before the Planning Commission as long as the lawyer does not use the former membership to state or imply that the lawyer may improperly influence the Commission. The lawyer may also represent clients before the Planning Commission or the Board of Supervisors although the lawyer served as a campaign treasurer for one of the supervisors and the lawyer's spouse volunteered as a campaign worker, as long as the lawyer does not use these facts to state or imply that the lawyer can improperly influence the officials. The Bar warns that "the potential for the appearance of impropriety is significant and should be scrupulously guarded against."

Copyright 2000, Thomas E. Spahn