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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4-Witness-Advocate Rule

5-Lawyers Changing Jobs

A lawyer interviewing for a job with the firm the lawyer is opposing in a matter must obtain the client's consent if the negotiations involve substantive discussions about experience, clients or business potential, or the terms of a possible association; the negotiating lawyer's conflict is not imputed to the rest of the firm, but the lawyer's colleagues may have their own conflict because of an interest in the negotiations; the firm with which the lawyer is negotiating faces a similar conflict.

Copyright 2000, Thomas E. Spahn