Ethics in Referrals

How do you find your next client? Networking groups are a great way to build your practice and get your name out in the community. Some websites allow lawyers to place bids to get customers. The costs of these services are low, but the money to be earned is pretty high. Sounds like a no-brainer right?

These sources of business raise ethical questions regarding fee splitting with nonlawyers, attorney-client relations, and conflicts of interest. As more attorneys are solicited into business networking groups and as more and more websites pop up that allow attorneys to seek clients online, it is most important to know the ethical guidelines for these areas. It is also important to know the rules regarding giving a referral or recommendation to a client of another attorney or non-attorney. This legal ethics course will give you the knowledge you'll need to comply with the ethics rules and allow peace of mind in your business development and referrals practices.

Learning Objectives:

1. Recognize appropriate instances to receive or pay out referral fees
2. Analyze exceptions to the referral fees rules
3. Distinguish non-attorney from attorney based referral fees
4. Anticipate and avoid risks of attorney-client matching websites
5. Examine business networking groups and the potential liability exposure
6. Avoid malpractice actions based on referral activities
   

This course originally appeared as a part of our March 2014 Bridge the Gap Event.