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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9-Government Lawyer Conflicts

25-Dealing with Unrepresented People

66-Lawyers Acting as "Scriveners"

A city attorney acting as a "scrivener" for citizens preparing proposed ordinances to be considered by a city council might be deemed to be acting as a lawyer for the group if the lawyer's services created the "expectation" of such a relationship in the minds of the citizens. [Superseded in LEO 1803, which held that the existence of an attorney client relationship depends on the lawyer's action rather than a mere title, and holding that the attorney client relationship would arise between prisoners and lawyers practicing at a state prison if the lawyers did anything more than simply typing up what the prisoner wrote]. (reconsideration 2/9/93)

Copyright 2000, Thomas E. Spahn