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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32-Lawyers Acting in Other Roles (Miscellaneous)

34-Limiting Liability to Clients

76-Trust and Estate Lawyers

A lawyer representing the executor of an estate sought a general release from the widow. The Bar needed more facts before determining whether an attorney-client relationship existed between the lawyer and the widow. If it did, a general release would be per se improper. Because the lawyer was acting as a fiduciary even if not as a lawyer, "such a general release is not a good practice and does not follow the spirit of the Disciplinary Rule."

Copyright 2000, Thomas E. Spahn