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. 
 
 Back to main menu

  Print This Leo
LEO NumTopicsSummary
1422

print
3-Multiple Representations on the Same Matter

9-Government Lawyer Conflicts

A county attorney's office may not represent a regional transportation district commission which was conducting transactions with the county, because of the possibility of differing interests. This "forseeability of future conflicts" renders it "not obvious" that the lawyer could represent both the county and the commission. The Bar declined to determine if the lawyer working for the commission could be effectively screened from related county work. [Rule 1.7(a)(1) follows a subjective "reasonably believes" standard rather than the old Code's objective "obvious" standard.]

Copyright 2000, Thomas E. Spahn