Opinion 1511

The Committee reviewed your inquiry wherein you proposed a not for profit lawyer referral service be established which would refer a prospective client to a registered attorney on a rotating basis. The client utilizing the service would pay a registered attorney a $40 flat fee for one-half hour of consultation. The registered attorney would retain $20 and mail $20 to the lawyer referral service. You inquired whether or not the proposed lawyer referral service violated RPC 1.5(e)(1). The Committee was of the opinion that the proposal is allowed by the Rules, so long as the lawyer referral service becomes "duly authorized" as required by 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.