Can a practicing lawyer also be employed as a police officer?
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This page answers the general question as of 2000. Ezel answers yours: whether it's allowed on your facts, under the current rules of professional conduct in your state, with citations.
Plain-English summary
The inquirer asked whether the Rules of Professional Conduct allowed a practicing lawyer to also be employed as a police officer.
The committee opined that the rules do not preclude a lawyer from dual employment, and that a lawyer may practice law while employed in other occupations. It added that great care should be taken in conducting both the law practice and the office (here, as police chief) so as not to come into conflict with the Rules of Professional Conduct that may be implicated in operating the two professions.
Currency note
This opinion was issued in 2000, before the Washington State Bar Association's adoption of the 2006 revisions to the Rules of Professional Conduct. Subsequent rule amendments or later opinions may have changed the analysis. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance. Verify against current rules before relying on any specific rule, deadline, or requirement mentioned here.
Common questions
Q: Do the ethics rules forbid a lawyer from holding a second job as a police officer?
A: Per the committee, no. It concluded the rules do not preclude dual employment and a lawyer may practice law while working in another occupation.
Q: Did the committee attach any caution?
A: Yes. It said great care should be taken in conducting both roles so the lawyer does not come into conflict with the Rules of Professional Conduct implicated in operating the two professions.
Background and rules framework
The opinion cites no specific Rule of Professional Conduct. It addresses whether the rules categorically bar a lawyer from a second occupation, concluding they do not, while noting that the conduct of both roles must stay consistent with the rules that may be implicated.
Citations and references
Rules of Professional Conduct:
- The opinion cites no specific rule; it addresses dual employment generally under the Rules of Professional Conduct.
See also
- WSBA Ethics Op. 1016: State-Paid GAL, Private Work
- WSBA Ethics Op. 1488: A Law Practice and Side Business
- WSBA Ethics Op. 1874: Selling Investments as a Lawyer
Source
- Landing page: https://ao.wsba.org/print.aspx?ID=1158
Original opinion text
Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.
Advisory Opinion: 1918
Year Issued: 2000
RPC(s):
Subject: Practicing lawyer also working as police officer
The inquirer asked if the Rules of Professional Conduct allowed a practicing lawyer to also be employed as a police officer. The committee opined that the Rules do not preclude a lawyer from dual employment. A lawyer may practice law while employed in other occupations. However, great care should be taken in the conduct of both your law practice and your office as police chief to ensure that you do not come into conflict with the Rules of Professional Conduct that may be implicated in the operation of the two professions.
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