Legal Question in Legal Ethics in California

Re: Lawyer & Other Profession

I am an attorney who used to be a notary. I stopped doing it because I got tired of people asking me to notarize documents without following the proper procedures.

There is no specific ethical problem with being an attonrey and a notary. You should carefully examine each transaction and discuss any potential problems unique to that situation. I would think twice about notarizing documents for clients because this can sometimes blur the line between your duties as an attorney and as a notary. Also, notarizing a document for a client could make you a witness if litigation arises related to the document, thus potentially compromising the attorney-client privilege and possibly disqualifying you as the attorney of record.

There are lots of attorneys who wear multiple hats in their employment. Attorney's who are also accoutants are not that uncommon and there are many professions someone can pursue while still being an attorney.