Informal Opinion Number: 940154
Rules: 1.5(e)
Client-Lawyer Relationship
Fees
QUESTION: Attorney was hired to represent a client who was in an auto accident in a distant state. Attorney associated with an attorney in that state. The total attorney fee will be one third. A substantial judgment was obtained. Attorney remained involved in the case but it was tried by the attorney in the other state. The proposed division of fees among the attorneys is 10% to Attorney and 90% to the attorney from the other state. The client has consented to this division. ANSWER: Based upon these facts, this arrangement would not violate Rule 4 dash–1.5(e).
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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