Referral fee rules · Nebraska

Referral fees in Nebraska

Neb. Ct. R. of Prof. Cond. § 3-501.5(e) · Proportional work or joint responsibility

Nebraska follows the ABA Model Rule. Fee division between lawyers not in the same firm is allowed only if the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation. The client must agree to the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, confirmed in writing, and the total fee must be reasonable. The comment defines joint responsibility as financial and ethical responsibility as if the lawyers were partners.

What Nebraska requires

  • Division proportional to services performed, or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility
  • Client agrees to the arrangement, including each lawyer's share
  • Agreement confirmed in writing
  • Total fee is reasonable

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.

Members can draft this in a minute

The member tool takes both lawyers' jurisdictions, checks the division against each rule, flags anything that would not hold up, and drafts the agreement and the client consent. Membership is free.

Jurisdictions with a similar rule

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