Opinion ID: 2631751
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Count IIDid Mr. Haley violate RPC 1.8(a) when he entered into the September 24, 1993, agreement with Mr. Guditz?

Text: ¶ 37 The September 24, 1993, agreement provided that Graybeal Jackson would finance the Taylor settlement for Octal/Mr. Guditz and Octal/Mr. Guditz would release any malpractice suit against Mr. Haley and Graybeal Jackson. ¶ 38 Mr. Haley argues that on September 24, 1993, he was no longer in an attorney client relationship with Mr. Guditz and thus was not bound by the RPCs. ¶ 39 Whether an attorney client relationship exists depends largely on the client's subjective belief that it exists. Egger, 152 Wash.2d at 410-11, 98 P.3d 477. [T]he subjective belief must be `reasonably formed based on the attending circumstances, including the attorney's words or actions.' Id. (quoting Bohn v. Cody, 119 Wash.2d 357, 363, 832 P.2d 71 (1992)). ¶ 40 Here, Mr. Guditz states that on September 24, 1993, he still considered Mr. Haley to be his attorney. This belief was reasonable considering Mr. Haley's actions and the very terms of the September 24, 1993, agreementif [Graybeal Jackson] does not achieve the [Taylor] settlement and including payment by Octal to [Graybeal Jackson] for achieving a settlement. CP at 215. Thus, an attorney client relationship existed between Mr. Haley and Mr. Guditz on September 24, 1993. ¶ 41 The terms of the September 24, 1993, agreement were unreasonable. Octal had viable claims against Taylor, but the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice because of Mr. Haley's failure to comply with discovery. Thus, it was unreasonable for Octal to agree to limit Mr. Haley and Graybeal Jackson's malpractice liability. ¶ 42 Moreover, Mr. Haley did not give Mr. Guditz the opportunity to consult with independent counsel regarding the agreement. Mr. Haley never advised Mr. Guditz to consult independent counsel, and Mr. Guditz did not do so. ¶ 43 The findings of fact support the conclusion of law that Mr. Haley violated RPC 1.8(a) when he entered into the September 24, 1993, agreement with Mr. Guditz.