Ethics Advisory Opinions

(Approved March 9, 2000)

Issue: What are the ethical obligations of a lawyer to protect client confidentiality in the use of Internet e-mail communications?

(Approved March 9, 2000)

Issue: May a Utah lawyer ethically state on her letterhead that she is "also admitted" in another state when she is on inactive status in that state?

(Approved March 9, 2000)

Issue: May a Utah lawyer who is also a real estate title officer ethically enter into a partnership with or form a small business corporation with a nonlawyer for the purpose of assisting clients in challenging their real estate taxes?

(Approved June 2, 2000)

Issue: What are a lawyer's ethical duties to a third person who claims an interest in proceeds of a personal injury settlement or award received by the lawyer?

(Approved December 1, 2000)

¶ 1 Issue: Where a defendant is being represented by a lawyer appointed by defendant’s insurance carrier prior to the entry of any judgment against the defendant, would it be ethical for plaintiff’s lawyer to convey a settlement offer proposing that plaintiff take an assignment of any bad-faith claim that the defendant might have against the insurance carrier in exchange for plaintiff’s agreement not to execute against defendant for amounts exceeding the insurance policy limits?

(Approved September 29, 2000)

¶ 1 Issue: What are the ethical obligations of an attorney who, unaware his client will lie, hears the client commit perjury or otherwise materially mislead a tribunal?

(Approved June 2, 2000)

Issue: Do the Utah Rules of Professional Conduct prohibit a lawyer licensed to practice in Utah from participating in an association of lawyers that would use joint letterhead, with a disclaimer that the association “is an affiliation of independent attorneys-not a partnership?”