LEO: Associate Employee of Law Firm, LE Op. 406

 

    Associate Employee of Law Firm.

 

    April 6, 1981

 

    It is not unethical for an associate full-time salaried employee of a law firm or legal clinic to communicate to those clients served by the associate attorney a change in location and professional association. To the extent the associate attorney was personally involved in representation of clients on matters which were incomplete, the client should be consulted by the law firm or clinic or the associate attorney and given a choice whether continuing representation will be provided by the associate attorney or other lawyers employed by the law firm or clinic. No additional costs should be borne by the client as a result of the change in employment, regardless of whom the client chooses to complete the case. It would not be appropriate for the associate attorney to include in his or her communication of the change in status a list of services and prices to clients formerly served by the associate attorney while employed by the law firm or clinic. [See II: DR:2-103 and DR:2-108(D).]

 

Committee Opinion April 6, 1981

 

LEO: Associate Employee of Law Firm, LE Op. 406 (1981)