Informal Opinion Number: 930121
Rules: 1.5
Client-Lawyer Relationship
Fees
QUESTION: Former associate and partner disagree regarding apportionment of fees and right of former partner to have continuing control over cases associate took. ANSWER: This office cannot make factual determinations but Rule 1.5 requires lawyer´s fee to be reasonable. It is incumbent on each to ensure that client is not billed twice for the same representation. Former partner only has right to control cases if former partner is acting as co-counsel with the knowledge and consent of the client. The decision on who the attorney will be belongs to the client.
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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