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

60-Lawyers Acting as Trustees

61-Lawyers Acting as Executors

76-Trust and Estate Lawyers

A lawyer acting as executor or trustee could hire the lawyer's own law firm to represent an estate as long as the co-fiduciaries consented. However, the firm would have to withdraw if the executor/trustee had to be a witness in any later proceedings (unless the testimony involved a matter of formality or an uncontested matter, and would not be rebutted by another party). [Under Rule 3.7(c), this disqualification is not imputed to the lawyer's firm unless there is an actual conflict of interest.]

Copyright 2000, Thomas E. Spahn