Receipt of Commission by Relative of Closing Lawyer
Adopted: January 13, 1995
Opinion rules that a lawyer may close a real estate transaction brokered by the lawyer's spouse with the consent of the parties to the transaction.
Editor's Note: This opinion was originally published as RPC 188 (Revised).
Inquiry #1:
Lawyer practices law with XYZ Law Firm. His wife, W, is a real estate agent with Real Estate Agency located in a neighboring city. From time to time, members of XYZ Law Firm have been asked to represent one of the parties to a real estate transaction brokered by W or another realtor with Real Estate Agency and from which W or another realtor with Real Estate Agency will receive a commission. If all parties to the closing are made aware of the marital relationship between Lawyer and W, may Lawyer represent any party to a real estate transaction brokered by W?
Opinion #1:
Yes. There is no conflict of interest if a lawyer represents only the seller in a real estate transaction brokered by his wife because the interests of the seller and the real estate broker are the same: both want to ensure that the transaction is consummated promptly. With regard to his representation of the buyer and/or the lender, who are, respectively, interested in assuring that the buyer gets the property he bargained for and the loan to the buyer is properly documented and secured, Lawyer must first consider whether the exercise of his independent, professional judgment on behalf of his client (or clients) will be "materially impaired" by his desire to advance the interests of his spouse who will receive a valuable commission only if the transaction goes forward. Rule 5.1(b); see also RPC 88. If Lawyer reasonably believes his judgment will not be adversely affected by his relationship with his wife and all clients consent to Lawyer's participation after full disclosure of this relationship and the risks involved, Lawyer may proceed with the representation. On the other hand, if Lawyer concludes that his judgment on behalf of the buyer and/or the lender will be adversely affected by his desire to financially benefit his wife, it would be a disqualifying conflict of interest.
Inquiry #2:
Are the other lawyers in XYZ Law Firm disqualified from representing a party to a real estate transaction brokered by W?
Opinion #2:
No, if Lawyer could reasonably conclude that his judgment on behalf of the client would not be adversely affected under the circumstances and the client consents after full disclosure, then no conflict would be imputed to the other lawyers in XYZ Law Firm. See Rule 5.1(b) and Rule 5.11(a).
Inquiry #3:
May Lawyer represent the parties to a real estate closing if the transaction was brokered by a real estate agent affiliated with Real Estate Agency other than W?
Opinion #3:
Yes. See Opinion #1 above. If Lawyer concludes that his independent professional judgment on behalf of the buyer or lender might be affected by the desire to benefit Real Estate Agency, with whom W is affiliated, or her fellow real estate agent at Real Estate Agency, it would be a disqualifying conflict of interest.
Inquiry #4:
Real Estate Developer has been a client of XYZ Law Firm for several years and insists that the deeds for lots in the subdivisions it is developing be prepared by a member of XYZ Law Firm in order to ensure accuracy and uniformity. If W brokers a transaction for a lot in one of Developer's subdivisions, may Lawyer or another lawyer with XYZ Law Firm prepare the deed and sale papers for Developer?
Opinion #4:
Yes. See Opinion #1 above.
Inquiry #5:
In a real estate transaction under contract, but not closed, W acted as realtor for the seller. Before closing, legal problems relating to the land arose which required additional legal services beyond those usually required for a standard real estate closing. May Lawyer or another lawyer with XYZ Law Firm represent the seller on this matter?
Opinion #5:
Yes. See Opinion #1 above.
Inquiry #6:
W is also a paralegal and she sometimes assists her husband by performing his clerical work at her desk at the offices of Real Estate Agency. Lawyer represents Client on her claim for damages arising out of a traffic collision with another car. Ms. S, the driver/owner of the other automobile involved in the accident, works as a real estate agent with W at Real Estate Agency. Lawyer has not discussed Client's claim with Ms. S and is negotiating only with the insurance carrier. Lawyer advised Client that Ms. S works with W and offered the names of other lawyers in the area if Client chose to get a different lawyer. Does Lawyer need to do anything else to avoid a conflict of interest?
Opinion #6:
Yes. Although Lawyer could reasonably conclude that his representation of Client will not be impaired by the relationship between Ms. S and his wife, he has a duty to ensure that the confidential information of Client is not accidentally revealed to Ms. S. See Rule 4(b)(1). If W is working on any of the documents that relate to Client's claim at her desk in the offices of Real Estate Agency, there is a substantial risk that confidential information of Client may be revealed to Ms. S.