The court concluded that RPC 5.6(b) is violated when an attorney
simultaneously negotiates with the same party a settlement of
litigation on behalf of her clients and a related agreement on
her own behalf to restrict her practice of law. Rule of
Professional Conduct (RPC) 5.6(b) prohibits an attorney from
agreeing to restrict the attorney's practice as "part of the
settlement of a controversy between private parties." Attorneys
may not circumvent the import of RPC 5.6(b) by stating that the
settlement of litigation is separate from the agreement to
restrict the practice of law, where the agreements were
negotiated contemporaneously and are interconnected.
