I was advised today that the Washington State Supreme Court approved an interesting amendment to Washington RPC 4.4. The amendment adds a comment to RPC 4.4 making clear that a lawyer's assertion or inquiry about third-person's immigration status violates the RPC when the lawyer's purpose is to intimidate, coerce, or obstruct that person from participating in a civil matter. The Washington State Bar Association Board of Governors proposed this amendment to the Washington State Supreme Court "because of the particular vulnerabilities of unauthorized immigrants and the increasing frequency of lawyer conduct intended to exploit that vulnerability."

Explanation and text of the amendment can be found here:

http://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/?fa=court_rules.proposedRuleDisplay&ruleId=281