Advisory Opinion: 1039

Year Issued: 1986

RPC(s): RPC 1.5(e)

Subject: Division of fees; billing for contract lawyer's time at higher rate

A lawyer employs a contract lawyer on an hourly basis and charges his client's for the contract lawyer's time in excess of the rate he pays the contract lawyer. The lawyer pays the contract lawyer before billing the client. The Committee was of the opinion that your proposed arrangement to share fees with another lawyer is in compliance with RPC 1.5(e).

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.