Ethics Opinions

Escrow Agreement Containing Waiver of Future Conflict

 

Opinion rules that a lawyer may represent all parties in a residential real estate closing and subsequently represent only one party in an escrow dispute provided the lawyer insures that the conditions for waiver of an objection to a possible future conflict of interest set forth in RPC 168 are satisfied.

 

Inquiry #1:

 

The fiduciary relationship that arises when a lawyer serves as an escrow agent is analyzed in 98 Formal Ethics Opinion 11. The opinion rules that a lawyer who represents the buyer in a residential real estate closing may serve as the escrow agent for funds for certain repairs to the house. If a dispute subsequently arises relative to the completion of the repairs and the right to receive the escrow, the lawyer may resign as escrow agent and represent the buyer in the dispute.

 

Assume that at the time the escrow is established, the buyer and the seller draft an escrow agreement. The agreement provides that in the event of a dispute over the disbursement of the escrow, the funds will be disbursed to another person who will act as escrow agent and the lawyer will represent the buyer in the escrow dispute. Does this arrangement violate the Revised Rules of Professional Conduct?

 

Opinion #1:

 

No, provided the funds are given to another individual who will serve as escrow agent. As noted in 98 Formal Ethics Opinion 11, the responsibilities of a lawyer acting as an escrow agent arise primarily from the lawyer's fiduciary relationship to both the obligor and obligee and not from a client-lawyer relationship. An escrow agent must be impartial to both the obligor and the obligee. If a dispute arises, the lawyer may not advocate for one of the parties until he resigns as escrow agent. The agreement contemplated in this inquiry satisfies this condition.

 

Inquiry #2:

 

The closing lawyer represents the buyer, the seller, and the lender in the closing after satisfying the conditions for multiple representation set forth in RPC 210. As in the preceding inquiry, the buyer and the seller enter into an agreement that appoints the closing lawyer escrow agent. The escrow agreement also provides that, in the event of a dispute, the funds will be given to another escrow agent and the closing lawyer will represent the buyer in the escrow dispute. May a lawyer participate in an arrangement in which one of the lawyer's clients agrees in advance to waive any objection to a possible future conflict of interest?

 

Opinion #2:

 

Yes, provided the conditions on waiver of a future conflict of interest set forth in RPC 168 are satisfied.