Advisory Opinion: 920

Year Issued: 1985

RPC(s): RPC 7.2(c)

Subject: Referral of cases by organization other than legal services organization

A group of lawyers from different firms proposed forming an association to advertise together with a single telephone number, and refer the cases to the Association members on a systematic basis. Upon review of your proposal, the Committee was of the opinion that your proposed plan would be in violation of RPC 7.2(c) because the members would be paying the Association for the recommendation of the lawyers' services, and the Association would not qualify as a "legal service organization" as that term is used in the Rules of Professional Conduct.

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.