Advisory Opinion: 1716

Year Issued: 1997

RPC(s): RPC 5.4(a)

Subject: Division of fees with nonlawyer; allocating a percentage of gross fee to charity

The Committee decided that RPC 5.4(a) prohibits an attorney from allocating 15% of a gross fee directly to [a charitable organization].

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.