Advisory Opinion: 1386

Year Issued: 1991

RPC(s): RPC 5.4

Subject: Division of fees with nonlawyer; payment to nonlawyer based on escrow closing receipts

The Committee was of the opinion that RPC 5.4(a) would prohibit a lawyer from paying a paraprofessional employee a salary based upon money received in an escrow closing as such a payment would constitute fee splitting with a nonlawyer.

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.