Referral fee rules · Virginia
Referral fees in Virginia
Va. Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5(e) · Pure referral fee permitted
Virginia dropped the Model Rule's proportionality and joint-responsibility requirements in its 2004 revisions, so a pure referral fee between lawyers in different firms is permitted. The division is allowed if the client is advised of and consents to the participation of all lawyers involved, the terms of the division are disclosed to the client and the client consents, the total fee is reasonable, and the division and client consent are obtained in advance of rendering the legal services, preferably in writing.
What Virginia requires
- • Client advised of and consents to participation of all lawyers
- • Terms of the fee division disclosed to the client with client consent
- • Total fee is reasonable
- • Division and consent obtained in advance of the legal services, preferably in writing
- • No proportionality or joint-responsibility requirement
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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