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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28-Law Firm Staff

39-Miscellaneous

45-Law Firms - Miscellaneous

A Virginia lawyer may enter into a partnership with a non-lawyer in the District of Columbia, because its ethics rules permit such partnerships (Virginia's DR 1-102(B) acts "as a conflicts of rules provision" allowing the more permissive DC rule to apply). Although the partnership (through a Virginia lawyer) may conduct activities in DC benefiting Virginia clients, it may not engage in the practice of law in Virginia, and the Virginia lawyer may not conduct any of the lawyer's practice in Virginia through the partnership. [Rule 8.5(a) now indicates that Virginia lawyers must comply with the Rules regardless of where they practice, and Rule 8.5(b) now provides a "choice of law" rule for lawyers licensed in more than one jurisdiction.] [Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia 11/2/16].

Copyright 2000, Thomas E. Spahn