Opinion ID: 2552682
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Communication with Person Represented by Counsel

Text: {39} In addition, we hold that Respondent's actions in relation to the Woodmark visit constitute a violation of Rule 16-402, which provides that [i]n representing a client, a lawyer shall not communicate about the subject of the representation with a party the lawyer knows to be represented by another lawyer in the matter, unless the lawyer has the consent of the other lawyer or is authorized by law to do so. Respondent's actions in going to the Woodmark, speaking with Bruce about executing a new will and trust, and, in fact, getting him to execute the new will and trust without notifying Bruce's guardian and conservator, is inexcusable. Whether Respondent purported to represent Bruce or Ruth at this time is of no consequence. The subject matter of the visit was Bruce's finances, and when executing a new will and trust, the legal representatives appointed by the court or hired by Decades LLC should have been present. Respondent did not obtain consent from Decades LLC to take these actions and he had no alternate legal authorization to do so. Accordingly, we agree with the hearing committee's conclusion that Respondent's conduct in this regard also violated Rule 16-402.