Advisory Opinion: 1117

Year Issued: 1987

RPC(s): RPC 1.5(e)(2)

Subject: Division of fees; contingent fee

The Committee was of the opinion that where a law firm had been employed to represent a client on a contingent fee basis, and the lead counsel left the law firm but would continue to represent the client, the law firm and the lawyer could enter into an agreement to divide the ultimate contingent fee in proportion to the numbers of hours worked on it by the lawyer and other members of the law firm, and that such an agreement would not be governed by RPC 1.5(e)(2).

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.