Ethics Opinions

Editor's Note: This opinion was originally published as RPC 156 (Revised).

 

Informing Client Concerning Representation

 

Opinion rules that an attorney who has advised a client that he has been retained by the client's insurance company to represent him must reasonably inform the client and explain the matter completely when the insurance company pays its entire coverage and is "released from further liability or obligation to participate in the defense" under the provisions of G.S. §20-279.21(b)(4).

 

Inquiry:

 

Attorney A was retained by Insurance Company Y to represent Defendants L and M who are the named insureds on a policy of auto liability insurance issued by Insurance Company Y. A suit was brought by the adverse driver. Attorney A settled the suit for the policy limit applicable to driver's claim and obtained a Release and Dismissal with Prejudice as to driver's claim against L and M. Now Insurance Company Y has paid Plaintiff X the entire policy limits applicable to Plaintiff X's claim and has secured from Plaintiff X a Covenant Not to Enforce Judgment against L and M. With this payment to Plaintiff X, Insurance Company Y's policy limits have been exhausted. The Plaintiff's underinsured motorist carrier was put on notice of the proposed settlement prior to settlement pursuant to G.S. §20-279.21(b)(4), and the underinsured motorist carrier failed to advance payment to its insured Plaintiff X to preserve its subrogation rights. Plaintiff X has been unable to negotiate a settlement of her UIM claim with her UIM carrier and therefore is in the process of filing suit so that she can recover damages from her underinsured motorist carrier. In the case of Plaintiff X, the only action Attorney A has taken is to write a letter to L and M advising them that suit may be filed and that Attorney A has been retained to represent them. Suit has not been filed yet and therefore Attorney A has not filed an answer on behalf of L and M. Insurance Company Y would like for Attorney A to file a motion with the court when the lawsuit is filed pursuant to G.S. §20-279.21(b)(4) to be released from further liability or obligation to participate in the defense of the proceeding.

 

Can Attorney A represent Insurance Company Y and file this motion to be released?

 

Opinion:

 

No opinion is given as to the ethics of filing a motion in a suit that has not yet been filed. Attorney A has written L and M advising them that a suit may be filed, and Attorney A has been retained by Insurance Company Y to represent them. However, since Insurance Company Y has paid its full limits, it is "released from further liability or obligation to participate in the defense" of such proceeding by G.S. §20-279.21. Under such circumstances, Attorney A is required by Rule 6(b) to keep the client reasonably informed and to fully explain the matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding this matter.

 

As Attorney A has written to L and M advising L and M that Attorney A has been retained to represent them, Attorney A should promptly inform L and M, in writing, that Attorney A will not be representing them and explain the full provisions of the statute and the situation to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the clients to make informed decisions regarding employing Attorney A, any other attorney, or electing not to be represented in any future lawsuits under the facts as given.