Ethics Opinion 093

Ethics Opinion 093

12.5.1968

By Committee on Professional Ethics

NEW YORK STATE BAR ASSOCIATION

Professional Ethics Committee Opinion

Opinion #93 – 12/05/1968 (20-68)

Overruled by 578
Topic: Labor Unions
Digest: Improper for lawyers to join labor union which includes non-lawyer members
Canons: Former Canons 6, 29, 32, 35, 37, 44

QUESTION

Is it ethical for attorneys employed full time by an insurance company to affiliate with a Union and have all the rights that Union membership entails?

OPINION

In the case of a Union composed of both lawyers and non-lawyers, it is the opinion of this Committee that it is improper for a lawyer to join the Union.          It is not improper, however, for a lawyer employed by an insurance company to join a Union composed entirely of lawyers employed by the same company.  See Joint Opinion N.Y. County 376, N.Y.City 687; also ABA Inf. 986 and 917; N.Y.City 870; N Y. County 554.