Ethics Opinion 131

Ethics Opinion 131

4.9.1970

By Committee on Professional Ethics

NEW  YORK STATE  BAR ASSOCIATION

Professional Ethics Committee Opinion

Opinion #131 – 04/09/1970 (1-70)

Topic:  Process serving agency; Conflict of interest; Appearance of impropriety; Solicitation of business; Business interestsDigest: An attorney may not use an agency for the service of process in which he has an interest without divulging same to clientCode:  EC 5-19; 2-8; 2-9, DR 5-101 (A); 2-103

QUESTION

May an attorney use, on behalf of his client, a process serving agency in which he has a pecuniary interest?OPINIONIn his representation of a client, a lawyer may retain a process service agency in which he has a pecuniary interest provided the client is fully informed and consents to the arrangement. (EC 5-19, DR 5-101 (A).)If the lawyer is in a position to influence or control the operation of the agency, it should not be used to serve process on clients of the lawyer.The use of such agency to solicit business for the attorney is prohibited. (EC 2-8, 2-9, DR 2-103.)

Process serving agency; conflict of interest; appearance of impropriety; solicitation of business; business interests(PDF File)