Opinion ID: 1153989
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Organization of Business.

Text: The representation of the former client in the organization of the business involved a simple purchase, not unlike the purchase of a house financed by mortgage or trust deed. However, the accused's representation of Mrs. Zingg in the course of that transaction and continuing thereafter was more than merely incidental to his representation of her husband. The restraining order, requested by the accused and filed in the dissolution proceeding, effectively barred his former client from participating in the very business which the accused was instrumental in setting up, in part for the benefit of the former client. Had the representation of the parties been reversed, that is, the accused represented Mrs. Zingg and obtained a restraining order preventing Mr. Zingg's participation in the business, the transactional conflict would be clear. Here, the matter specific conflict is not so apparent, but, nevertheless, exists. Whether the new proceeding is significantly related to the accused's representation of his former client in the business transaction, apart from the restraining order, is a difficult question. There is a high potential for infliction of injury or damage to any former client in a dissolution proceeding involving any matter in which the accused previously represented the former client (establishment of a business, purchase of property, preparation of an intervivos irrevocable trust, adoption, workers' compensation claim or a myriad of other matters).