Advisory Opinion: 1947

Year Issued: 2001

RPC(s): RPC 5.4(a); 7.2(a)

Subject: Lawyer's participation with a for-profit Internet entity that provides users access to list of lawyers willing to provide services for fixed fees or lower rates.

The RPC Committee believes that, under RPC 5.4(a) and 7.2(a), a lawyer is not prohibited from entering into an agreement, such as that required by the for profit Internet entity that operates a Web site providing users of the site access to lawyers who are willing to provide legal services for fixed fees or lower hourly rates. Such an agreement does not entail fee sharing with a nonlawyer, and/or indirect payment of a referral fee to a for profit referral service.

Advisory Opinions are provided for the education of the Bar and reflect the opinion of the Committee on Professional Ethics (CPE) or its predecessors. Advisory Opinions are provided pursuant to the authorization granted by the Board of Governors, but are not individually approved by the Board and do not reflect the official position of the Bar association. Laws other than the Washington State Rules of Professional Conduct may apply to the inquiry. The Committee's answer does not include or opine about any other applicable law other than the meaning of the Rules of Professional Conduct.