Court Opinion

ID: 9736103
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 18:44:03.257106+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:27:04.386475
License: Public Domain

PRYOR, Chief Judge,
concurring:
The ethical issue presented here arises not from a breach of confidentiality born of a conflict of interest, but from the possibility that an attorney may wield governmental authority with a view to subsequent private gain. To avoid even the appearance of such impropriety, the Code of Professional Responsibility directs the former government attorney to refuse private employment in matters for which he had substantial responsibility as a public servant. DR 9-101(B). See generally EC 9-3, “Revolving Door,” 445 A.2d 615 (D.C.1982) (en banc) (per curiam).
In affirming the ruling of the Board of Zoning Adjustment, the majority opinion employs a comprehensive analysis of several of the canons related to the one at issue. Given our limited experience in this area, I am more cautious. In the context of this case, I am confident that the height litigation and discussions concerning the proposed air rights condominium, are not sufficiently related to Carr’s efforts to increase available off-street parking to constitute the same “matter” within the mean*60ing of DR 9-101(B). See Committee for Washington’s Riverfront Parks v. Thompson, 451 A.2d 1177 (D.C.1982).
In sum, without requiring the proof of a specific violation which the majority opinion seems to imply, I vote to affirm.