Advisory Opinion: 1024

Year Issued: 1986

RPC(s): RPC 1.5

Subject: Contingent fee agreement

[A law firm represented a collection agency that was entitled to 25% of the amount collected, or 50% if the case went to trial. The lawyer's agreement with the collection agency gave the lawyer a 50% contingency fee in whatever amount the collection agency received.] The Committee was of the opinion that your proposed contingent fee agreement is not precluded by RPC 1.5, so long as the requirements of that rule are otherwise complied with.

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.