Ethics Opinions

Interviewing Nonparty Witnesses

 

Opinion rules that a lawyer wishing to interview a witness who is not a party, but who is represented by counsel, must obtain the consent of the witness' lawyer.

 

Inquiry:

 

Attorney A has filed suit against Z in a civil matter. Attorney A wishes to contact X, who is a nonparty, potential witness. X has informed Attorney A that she has an attorney representing her respecting the civil matter about which Attorney A has sued Z. X is willing to discuss the civil matter with Attorney A, however. Once Attorney A learns that X has an attorney, must A obtain permission of X's attorney before discussing the civil matter with X further?

 

The express language of Rule 7.4 appears to be limited only to parties in a matter. The last sentence of the comment to the Rule, however, states that it applies to "any person, whether or not a party to a formal proceeding, who is represented by counsel concerning the matter in question." (emphasis added) Since this language is in the comment, rather than the Rule itself, does it represent only an aspirational standard, or is it obligatory?

 

Opinion:

 

Once Attorney A learns that X has an attorney, A must obtain the permission of X's attorney before discussing the civil matter with X. This is made clear by that portion of the comment to the Rule which is set forth in the inquiry. In this instance, as in most cases, the comment is intended to explain the Rule.

 

As a matter of policy, Rule 7.4(a) was designed to reduce the risk that an attorney/client relationship in regard to a particular matter might be subverted by the importunings of counsel representing other persons or entities whose interests in the same matter might be adverse. The attorney/client relationship enjoyed by a potential witness and his or her counsel is no less worthy of protection than that enjoyed by any named party and his or her lawyer.