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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1-Adversity to Current Clients
21-Reporting Another Lawyer's Unethical Conduct
45-Law Firms - Miscellaneous
An associate may not (absent consent) prepare a patent opinion seeking to invalidate a patent held by another firm client (which the associate’s law firm represents in different technologies). The supervising partner who knowingly directed the associate’s action violated Rule 5.1, because the partner ordered and ratified inappropriate conduct by a subordinate lawyer.

Copyright 2000, Thomas E. Spahn