Opinion ID: 1454365
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: thirty-seventh cause of complaint

Text: In this cause the Bar alleged that Griffith violated former DR 1-102(A)(2) and (6) and former DR 5-104(A), all supra, because of the following conduct: In September 1981, Griffith and Wolf formed a partnership known as Trans West Transport Group for the purpose of purchasing and chartering the use of an aircraft to others. Griffith and Wolf were general partners. Brookens and First Northwest were each 10 percent limited partners. Griffith and Wolf were the legal counsel to Trans West and Brookens relied upon them for legal advice. The interests of Griffith differed from the interests of Brookens in the formation of the partnership and Griffith did not make the required ethical disclosures to or obtain the informed consent of Brookens. Griffith's answer was a general denial. The Trial Panel found Griffith not guilty of this cause for the following reasons: At the time the partnership was formed the interest of the various partners did not differ, they had had an ongoing business relationship of approximately three years in length, there had been no conflict between the partners and their other business dealings and there did not appear to be any conflicting interests in the formation of the partnership. We consider this a closer question than did the Trial Panel because Brookens was a limited partner and Griffith was a general partner. However, giving Griffith the benefit of our doubt, we agree with the Trial Panel and find him not guilty of this cause.