cff-version: 1.2.0
message: "If you use this dataset, please cite it as: Probative Growth, Referral-fee and fee-splitting rules for lawyers, by state, 2026, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23964121. Source: Probative, Referral-fee and fee-splitting rules for lawyers, by state, version 2.0.0, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23964121, licensed CC BY 4.0."
type: dataset
title: "Referral-fee and fee-splitting rules for lawyers, by state"
authors:
  - name: "Probative Growth"
    website: "https://probativegrowth.com"
version: "2.0.0"
date-released: 2026-11-04
doi: 10.5281/zenodo.23964121
url: "https://probativegrowth.com/resources/attorney-referral-fee-rules-by-state/"
license: CC-BY-4.0
abstract: "When lawyers in different firms may split a fee, and what a lawyer may pay for a referral, in the US states and DC it covers. Each record gives the state's fee-division rule (ABA Model Rule 1.5(e) or its equivalent: the proportion or joint-responsibility test, how the client must agree, whether each share is disclosed, any cap) and its rule on paying for recommendations (Model Rule 7.2(b) or its equivalent: referral-service charges, reciprocal referral agreements, nominal gifts), each quoted from the official rules text with the date read."
keywords:
  - "attorney referral fees"
  - "fee splitting between lawyers"
  - "Rule 1.5(e)"
  - "Rule 7.2(b)"
  - "lawyer referral service"
  - "rules of professional conduct"