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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21-Reporting Another Lawyer's Unethical Conduct

36-Withdrawal from Representations

45-Law Firms - Miscellaneous

Lawyers must report an impaired colleague if the colleague engages in sufficiently serious misconduct (under Rule 8.3), but also must "take precautionary measures before" a colleague's impairment reaches that level; such lawyers: (1) must "take reasonable steps to prevent the impaired from violating the Rules" (including considering whether the lawyer must withdraw from a representation under Rule 1.16); (2) may be able to "work around or accommodate" the impairment by reducing the impaired colleague's workload, arranging for a supervisor until the impairment dissipates, restrict the impaired colleague's scope of practice, etc.; (3) should suggest that the impaired colleague seek appropriate help. If the impaired colleague has committed sufficiently egregious misconduct that requires reporting under Rule 8.3, arranging for the impaired lawyer to participate with Lawyers Helping Lawyers does not eliminate the reporting obligation. [Approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia 12/15/16]

Copyright 2000, Thomas E. Spahn