Informal Opinion Number: 20000195
Rules: 4 dash–1.5; 4 dash–5.4
Client-Lawyer Relationship
Fees
Subject: Fees - Division of Fees
Summary: sharing fees with suspended lawyer
QUESTION: Attorney is handling a case that was previously handled by an attorney who has been suspended. Attorney would like to pay the suspended attorney some of the attorney fees collected on the case. Is this permissible?
ANSWER: It is permissible for Attorney to share fees with a suspended attorney, as long as that attorney earned the fees prior to suspension.
Informal Opinions are ethics advisory opinions issued by the Office of Legal Ethics Counsel to members of the Bar about Rule 4 (Rules of Professional Conduct), Rule 5 (Complaints and Proceedings Thereon), and Rule 6 (Fees to Practice Law) pursuant to Missouri Supreme Court Rule 5.30(c). Written summaries of select Informal Opinions are published for informational purposes as determined by the Advisory Committee of the Supreme Court of Missouri pursuant to Rule 5.30(c). Informal opinion summaries are advisory in nature and are not binding. These opinions are published as an educational service and do not constitute legal advice.
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