Referral fee rules · Colorado
Referral fees in Colorado
Colo. R. Prof'l Cond. 1.5(d), (e) · Proportional work or joint responsibility
Colorado follows the ABA pattern in Rule 1.5(d): lawyers in different firms may divide a fee only if the division is proportional to services performed or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation, the client agrees to the arrangement including the basis of the division with that agreement confirmed in writing, and the total fee is reasonable. Rule 1.5(e) then states flatly that referral fees are prohibited, making Colorado one of the more explicit anti-referral-fee states. Contingent-fee matters carry additional written-disclosure requirements about associated counsel under Rule 1.5(c).
What Colorado requires
- • division proportional to services OR each lawyer assumes joint responsibility
- • client agrees to arrangement including basis of division, confirmed in writing
- • total fee reasonable
- • pure referral fees expressly prohibited (Rule 1.5(e))
Source: read the rule text
Educational summary, not legal advice. Rules change and several turn on the facts of the matter. Confirm against the current rule text and your own jurisdiction's version before agreeing to divide a fee. Remember that both the referring and receiving lawyer's rules can apply.
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Jurisdictions with a similar rule
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