Opinion 1273

The Committee reviewed your inquiry regarding the question of whether a suspended lawyer may share contingent legal fees generated as a result of cases he was representing prior to his suspension. The Committee was of the opinion that the suspended lawyer may be paid his share of a contingent fee for services performed prior to his suspension, upon a quantum meruit basis, based upon the value of the services he performed.

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.