Ethics Opinon 1972-3

SUBJECT: ACTING AS COUNSEL FOR EMPLOYEE

I
QUESTION PRESENTED

What is the propriety of an attorney appearing for his or her secretary in connection with a traffic citation?

II
SUMMARY

The attorney could ethically appear on behalf of the secretary if an individual relationship of lawyer to client is maintained. This conclusion is based on the assumption that the attorney does not wish to testify as a witness and further that the services would be rendered on an individual basis and not at the request of an intermediary.

This opinion is advisory only. It is not binding upon the State Bar, the Board of Governors, its agents or employees.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Committee reviewed this opinion in July, 1976 and determined that the conclusion is still valid.

Disclaimer: This opinion was issued by the Legal Ethics Committee of the San Diego County Bar Association. It is advisory only and is not binding upon any member of the SDCBA, any other member of the State Bar of California, the State Bar of California or its Board of Governors, or any persons or tribunals charged with regulatory responsibilities. The SDCBA, its officers, directors, agents, and the Legal Ethics Committee members assume no responsibility or liability in rendering this opinion.