Committee on Professional Ethics
The Committee on Professional Ethics (CPE) issues advisory opinions to address recurring or emerging ethics issues facing WSBA members. The advisory opinions cover a broad context and provide in-depth guidance on the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) as applied to a wide variety of practice areas. Advisory opinions issued by the committee are published online.
Bar members seeking an advisory opinion from the CPE should direct their request to the staff liaison or the chair. See contact information listed below. If the request is accepted by the committee, a lengthy review process generally follows before a final opinion or other recommendation is issued. Those seeking a more immediate response should contact the Bar's Ethics Line.
The committee also plays a key role in reviewing and suggesting amendments to the RPC.
Recent Advisory Opinions
2026
Advisory Opinion 202601 regarding client language access issues for lawyers
2025
Advisory Opinion 202506 regarding informed consent required to vacate criminal convictions.
Advisory Opinion 202505 regarding artificial intelligence-enabled tools in law practice.
Advisory Opinion 202504 regarding fee division contracts with departing lawyers.
Advisory Opinion 202503 regarding how to handle disputed funds in a lawyer’s trust account.
Advisory Opinion 202502 regarding use of a non-practicing lawyer’s name by the purchaser of a law practice.
Advisory Opinion 202501 regarding confidentiality and conflict issues in appointment of certified public guardians.
More advisory opinions can be found on the Ethics Advisory Opinions Database
Recent RPC Amendments
Effective July 2, 2025, Amendment to Comment 3 RPC 6.1. Washington Supreme Court Order 25700-A-1650.
Effective July 2, 2025, Amendment to 1.0B, 1.7, 1.10 and 1.13, Washington Supreme Court Order 25700-A-1649.
See the Court's website for information on suggested amendments to the RPC published for comment.
Committee Meetings
Next meeting: April 17, 2026 Call-in Lines: 253-215-8782 || Toll-free: 888-788-0099 Meeting ID: 862 6079 2807 || Passcode: 959842 | Meeting MinutesPast minutes available by public records request. |
Contact Us
To submit a request for a written advisory opinion from the committee, please contact the staff liaison or the committee chair. For meeting information, please contact the staff liaison.
Committee Chair: Mark Fucile, Mark@frllp.com
Board of Governors Liaison: Mary Rathbone, mrathbone@moberglawgroup.com
Staff Liaison: Jeanne Marie Clavere, Jeannec@wsba.org
Support Professional Responsibility Counsel: Sandra Schilling, sandras@wsba.org
If you need accommodation, submit an accommodation request form (PDF). See the form for instructions to submit a request for accommodation. If you are unable to complete the form due to an impairment, you may contact accommodations@wsba.org or 206-727-8200 for further assistance.
