{"meta":{"dataset":"referral","title":"Referral-fee and fee-splitting rules for lawyers, by state","version":"1.1.0","doi":"10.5281/zenodo.23747113","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23747113","conceptDoi":"10.5281/zenodo.23720025","license":"CC BY 4.0","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","attribution":"Source: Probative, Referral-fee and fee-splitting rules for lawyers, by state, version 1.1.0, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23747113, licensed CC BY 4.0.","citation":"Probative. (2026). Referral-fee and fee-splitting rules for lawyers, by state (Version 1.1.0) [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23747113","disclaimer":"Not legal advice. This is a plain-English summary of each state's rules of professional conduct, kept for marketing planning, and rules change. Check the rule text, your state bar's ethics opinions and your own counsel before you agree a fee split or pay for a referral.","notice":"Probative is a marketing firm, not a law firm; not legal advice.","lastChecked":"2026-10-28","url":"https://probativegrowth.com/data/v1/referral/referral.json","humanUrl":"https://probativegrowth.com/resources/attorney-referral-fee-rules-by-state/","statusCodes":{"P":"primary source","S":"secondary source","D":"ABA model default","U":"open question"}},"key":"jurisdiction","records":[{"id":"referral-ak","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"AK","jurisdictionName":"Alaska","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee in proportion to each firm's contribution, or if each firm takes joint responsibility for the representation under a written agreement with the client.","feeRule":"Alaska R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"confirmed-in-writing","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree to each firm's participation, including the share each firm receives, and that participation must be confirmed to the client in writing.","feeConditions":"The rule speaks of 'firms' rather than 'lawyers'; the total fee must be reasonable.","pending":null,"payRule":"Alaska R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service (qualified means approved by an appropriate regulatory authority).","payDifferences":"Alaska has no nominal-gift exception; otherwise the list (ad costs, referral services, practice purchase, non-exclusive reciprocal referrals with client notice) matches ABA 7.2(b).","sources":[{"label":"Alaska Court System, Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://courts.alaska.gov/rules/docs/prof.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the contribution of each firm","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Alaska Court System, Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://courts.alaska.gov/rules/docs/prof.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"by written agreement with the client, each firm assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Alaska Court System, Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://courts.alaska.gov/rules/docs/prof.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client agrees to the participation of each firm, including the share each firm will receive","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Alaska Court System, Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://courts.alaska.gov/rules/docs/prof.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the participation is confirmed to the client in writing","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Alaska Court System, Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://courts.alaska.gov/rules/docs/prof.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"including the share each firm will receive","supports":"shareDisclosed","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Alaska Court System, Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://courts.alaska.gov/rules/docs/prof.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the total fee is reasonable","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Alaska Court System, Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://courts.alaska.gov/rules/docs/prof.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Alaska Court System, Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://courts.alaska.gov/rules/docs/prof.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client is informed of the existence and nature of the agreement","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Alaska Court System, Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://courts.alaska.gov/rules/docs/prof.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Court PDF has no consolidated date; the 7.2 history line shows amendment by SCO 1905 effective October 15, 2017. The nominal-gift value false means the Rule 7.2(b) list (read in full) has no such exception.","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-al","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"AL","jurisdictionName":"Alabama","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms, including a referring lawyer, may split a fee if the split is in proportion to the work each does, or each takes joint responsibility under a written agreement with the client, or (in a contingency case) the split is between the referring lawyer and the receiving lawyer.","feeRule":"Ala. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"other","consent":"consent-no-writing","shareDisclosed":false,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must be told of every participating lawyer and that a fee division will occur, and must not object; the rule does not require a writing.","feeConditions":"Alabama's third option lets a referring lawyer share in a contingency fee without proportional work or joint responsibility. The total fee must not be 'clearly excessive' (not the ABA 'reasonable' wording). The joint-responsibility option needs a written agreement with the client.","pending":null,"payRule":"Ala. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(h)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":true,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a not-for-profit lawyer-referral service or a not-for-profit legal-aid agency or entity the Office of General Counsel recognizes as legitimate.","payDifferences":"Alabama's list has no legal-service-plan or practice-purchase (Rule 1.17) item, limits referral services to not-for-profit ones, adds a sponsorship/charitable-contribution item, and bars paying another firm's ad costs unless the two firms jointly represent clients in that matter.","sources":[{"label":"Supreme Court of Alabama, Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 (judicial.alabama.gov)","url":"https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cond1_5.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Alabama, Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 (judicial.alabama.gov)","url":"https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cond1_5.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"in a contingency fee case, the division is between the referring or forwarding lawyer and the receiving lawyer","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Alabama, Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 (judicial.alabama.gov)","url":"https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cond1_5.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"including a division of fees with a referring lawyer","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Alabama, Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 (judicial.alabama.gov)","url":"https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cond1_5.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"The client is advised of and does not object to the participation of all the lawyers involved","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Alabama, Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 (judicial.alabama.gov)","url":"https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cond1_5.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"The client is advised that a division of fee will occur","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Alabama, Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 (judicial.alabama.gov)","url":"https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cond1_5.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"The client is advised that a division of fee will occur","supports":"shareDisclosed","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Alabama, Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 (judicial.alabama.gov)","url":"https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cond1_5.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"The total fee is not clearly excessive","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Alabama, Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 (judicial.alabama.gov)","url":"https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cond1_5.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"by written agreement with the client, each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Alabama, Order of May 13, 2025 amending Rule 7.2 (as amended effective January 1, 2026), published by the Alabama State Bar","url":"https://www.alabar.org/assets/2025/05/Order-on-Alabama-Rules-of-Professional-Conduct-and-Rules-of-Disciplinary-Procedure.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"refer clients to another lawyer or a nonlawyer professional pursuant to an agreement not otherwise prohibited under these Rules","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Alabama, Order of May 13, 2025 amending Rule 7.2 (as amended effective January 1, 2026), published by the Alabama State Bar","url":"https://www.alabar.org/assets/2025/05/Order-on-Alabama-Rules-of-Professional-Conduct-and-Rules-of-Disciplinary-Procedure.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the referral agreement is not exclusive","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Alabama, Order of May 13, 2025 amending Rule 7.2 (as amended effective January 1, 2026), published by the Alabama State Bar","url":"https://www.alabar.org/assets/2025/05/Order-on-Alabama-Rules-of-Professional-Conduct-and-Rules-of-Disciplinary-Procedure.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"give nominal gifts as an expression of appreciation that are neither intended nor reasonably expected to be a form of compensation","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Alabama, Order of May 13, 2025 amending Rule 7.2 (as amended effective January 1, 2026), published by the Alabama State Bar","url":"https://www.alabar.org/assets/2025/05/Order-on-Alabama-Rules-of-Professional-Conduct-and-Rules-of-Disciplinary-Procedure.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a not-for-profit lawyer-referral service","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Alabama, Order of May 13, 2025 amending Rule 7.2 (as amended effective January 1, 2026), published by the Alabama State Bar","url":"https://www.alabar.org/assets/2025/05/Order-on-Alabama-Rules-of-Professional-Conduct-and-Rules-of-Disciplinary-Procedure.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay a sponsorship fee or make a contribution to a charitable organization or other not-for-profit organization","supports":"differences","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Rule 1.5 read from the judicial.alabama.gov per-rule PDF (no revision date shown on it). Rule 7.2 read from the Court's 13 May 2025 order (Appendix text, effective 1 January 2026), which amends 7.2; the order does not include Rule 1.5, and alabar.org URLs I tried for a full rules copy returned 404.","confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"},{"id":"referral-ar","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"AR","jurisdictionName":"Arkansas","status":"U","text":"Not verified: we could not read Arkansas's official fee-division rule on 2026-10-28, so the fee-division cells are left blank.","feeRule":"Ark. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"U","basis":null,"consent":null,"shareDisclosed":null,"cap":null,"consentText":null,"feeConditions":null,"pending":null,"payRule":"Ark. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(c)","payStatus":"U","reciprocalReferrals":null,"nominalGifts":null,"referralServices":null,"payDifferences":null,"sources":[{"label":"Arkansas Judiciary, Arkansas Rules of Professional Conduct ([Current] compiled text), Rule 1.5","url":"https://opinions.arcourts.gov/ark/cr/en/1868/1/document.do","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-28","quote":null,"supports":"not-read","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Arkansas Judiciary, Arkansas Rules of Professional Conduct ([Current] compiled text), Rule 7.2","url":"https://opinions.arcourts.gov/ark/cr/en/1868/1/document.do","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-28","quote":null,"supports":"not-read","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-28","note":"Not verified (2026-10-28): Arkansas's rules are published only on opinions.arcourts.gov, which refuses plain scripts and shows a human-verification (CAPTCHA) page in a normal browser. The 2026-10-27 read got the text by sending a browser user agent to get past that block, which our method does not allow, so the values from it were withdrawn. Restore after a read in a normal browser session that passes no challenge, or from another official copy.","confidence":"low","confidenceBasis":"open question or withheld (U)"},{"id":"referral-az","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"AZ","jurisdictionName":"Arizona","status":"P","text":"Only two or more firms jointly working on a matter may divide a client's fee; the firms must tell the client in writing how the fee will be divided and how responsibility will be divided, and the division of responsibility must be reasonable. There is no proportion-to-work test.","feeRule":"Ariz. R. Sup. Ct. 42, ER 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"other","consent":"written-agreement","shareDisclosed":null,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must consent to the division of fees in a writing the client signs.","feeConditions":"The total fee must be reasonable, and the division of responsibility among the firms must be reasonable given the client's need for the whole matter to be handled completely and diligently.","pending":null,"payRule":"Ariz. R. Sup. Ct. 42, ER 7.2 (reserved)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":false,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"Arizona's rules no longer list permitted payments for a recommendation, because the old ban in ER 7.2 was deleted.","payDifferences":"Unlike ABA 7.2(b), Arizona has no ban on giving something of value for a recommendation: the Court's order deletes the old ER 7.2 text and marks the rule reserved, so the ABA exceptions have nothing to except.","sources":[{"label":"Arizona Supreme Court, Order R-20-0034 (amending Rule 42, ER 1.5(e), effective 2021)","url":"https://www.azcourts.gov/Portals/0/215/ABS%20Documents/Final%20Order_R-20-0034.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"Two or more firms jointly working on a matter may divide a fee paid by a client if","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Arizona Supreme Court, Order R-20-0034 (amending Rule 42, ER 1.5(e), effective 2021)","url":"https://www.azcourts.gov/Portals/0/215/ABS%20Documents/Final%20Order_R-20-0034.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the firms disclose to the client in writing how the fee will be divided and how the firms will divide responsibility","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Arizona Supreme Court, Order R-20-0034 (amending Rule 42, ER 1.5(e), effective 2021)","url":"https://www.azcourts.gov/Portals/0/215/ABS%20Documents/Final%20Order_R-20-0034.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"consents to the division of fees, in a writing signed by the client","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Arizona Supreme Court, Order R-20-0034 (amending Rule 42, ER 1.5(e), effective 2021)","url":"https://www.azcourts.gov/Portals/0/215/ABS%20Documents/Final%20Order_R-20-0034.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the total fee is reasonable","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Arizona Supreme Court, Order R-20-0034 (amending Rule 42, ER 1.5(e), effective 2021)","url":"https://www.azcourts.gov/Portals/0/215/ABS%20Documents/Final%20Order_R-20-0034.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division of responsibility among firms is reasonable in light of the client's need that the entire representation be completely and diligently completed","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Arizona Supreme Court, Order R-20-0030 (amending ERs 7.1 through 7.5, effective 2021)","url":"https://www.azcourts.gov/Portals/0/20/2020%20Rules/Order-R200030.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"ER 7.2 [Reserved]","supports":"reserved","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Read from the Arizona Supreme Court's rule-change orders (R-20-0034 for ER 1.5(e), R-20-0030 for ER 7.2), because no clean consolidated Rule 42 loaded on azcourts.gov. The orders are redlines; quotes are taken only from added or unchanged wording. shareDisclosed is null: the rule says the firms must disclose how the fee will be divided, without naming each share. Later amendments after these orders were not checked.","confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"},{"id":"referral-ca","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"CA","jurisdictionName":"California","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee if they sign a written agreement to divide it, the client consents in writing after full written disclosure, and the division does not raise the total fee; there is no proportion or joint-responsibility test.","feeRule":"Cal. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5.1(a)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"no-proportion-test","consent":"other","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must consent in writing, when the lawyers agree to divide the fee or as soon after as reasonably practicable, after full written disclosure that fees will be divided, who the lawyers or firms are, and the terms of the division.","feeConditions":"The lawyers need their own written agreement to divide the fee, and the total fee must not be increased solely because of the division. The rule does not apply to a division under a court order (1.5.1(b)). Rule 5.4(a)(4) separately lets a lawyer pay a referral fee to a lawyer referral service operated under the State Bar's Minimum Standards.","pending":null,"payRule":"Cal. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":true,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal services plan or a qualified lawyer referral service, meaning one operated under the State Bar of California's Minimum Standards for a Lawyer Referral Service.","payDifferences":"California bars compensating, promising or giving anything of value to secure a recommendation, and its gift exception covers any gift or gratuity after a recommendation led to hiring (no 'nominal' limit) as long as it was not promised or understood in advance.","sources":[{"label":"State Bar of California, California Rules of Professional Conduct (2026), Rule 1.5.1","url":"https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/rules/Rules-of-Professional-Conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the lawyers enter into a written agreement to divide the fee","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"State Bar of California, California Rules of Professional Conduct (2026), Rule 1.5.1","url":"https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/rules/Rules-of-Professional-Conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client has consented in writing, either at the time the lawyers enter into the agreement to divide the fee","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"State Bar of California, California Rules of Professional Conduct (2026), Rule 1.5.1","url":"https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/rules/Rules-of-Professional-Conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"after a full written disclosure to the client of","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"State Bar of California, California Rules of Professional Conduct (2026), Rule 1.5.1","url":"https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/rules/Rules-of-Professional-Conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(iii) the terms of the division","supports":"shareDisclosed","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"State Bar of California, California Rules of Professional Conduct (2026), Rule 1.5.1","url":"https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/rules/Rules-of-Professional-Conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the total fee charged by all lawyers is not increased solely by reason of the agreement to divide fees","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"State Bar of California, California Rules of Professional Conduct (2026), Rule 1.5.1","url":"https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/rules/Rules-of-Professional-Conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"This rule does not apply to a division of fees pursuant to court order","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"State Bar of California, California Rules of Professional Conduct (2026), Rule 1.5.1","url":"https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/rules/Rules-of-Professional-Conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"a lawyer or law firm may pay a prescribed registration, referral, or other fee to a lawyer referral service","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"State Bar of California, California Rules of Professional Conduct (2026), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/rules/Rules-of-Professional-Conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the reciprocal referral arrangement is not exclusive","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"State Bar of California, California Rules of Professional Conduct (2026), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/rules/Rules-of-Professional-Conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client is informed of the existence and nature of the arrangement","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"State Bar of California, California Rules of Professional Conduct (2026), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/rules/Rules-of-Professional-Conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"offer or give a gift or gratuity to a person having made a recommendation resulting in the employment of the lawyer","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"State Bar of California, California Rules of Professional Conduct (2026), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/rules/Rules-of-Professional-Conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a legal services plan or a qualified lawyer referral service","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"State Bar of California, California Rules of Professional Conduct (2026), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/rules/Rules-of-Professional-Conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"shall not compensate, promise or give anything of value to a person for the purpose of recommending or securing the services of the lawyer","supports":"differences","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Both rules read in the State Bar's 2026 rules PDF; Rule 5.4(a) also read there (bars sharing legal fees with nonlawyers; exceptions include (a)(4) referral-service fees and (a)(5)-(6) nonprofit sharing). Business and Professions Code sections (6155 etc.) were not read at an official source (only california.public.law leads), so nothing from them is recorded. Rule 1.5.1 text carries asterisks marking defined terms in the PDF; these are omitted in the quotes.","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-co","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"CO","jurisdictionName":"Colorado","status":"U","text":"Not verified: we could not read Colorado's official fee-division rule on 2026-10-27, so the fee-division cells are left blank.","feeRule":"Colo. RPC 1.5(d)","feeStatus":"U","basis":null,"consent":null,"shareDisclosed":null,"cap":null,"consentText":null,"feeConditions":null,"pending":null,"payRule":"Colo. RPC 7.2(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":true,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service.","payDifferences":null,"sources":[{"label":"Colorado Supreme Court, Rule Change 2020(29), Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct 7.2 (Colorado Judicial Branch)","url":"https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/Rule_Change_2020-29.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Colorado Supreme Court, Rule Change 2020(29), Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct 7.2 (Colorado Judicial Branch)","url":"https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/Rule_Change_2020-29.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client is informed of the existence and nature of the agreement","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Colorado Supreme Court, Rule Change 2020(29), Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct 7.2 (Colorado Judicial Branch)","url":"https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/Rule_Change_2020-29.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"give nominal gifts as an expression of appreciation that are neither intended nor reasonably expected to be a form of compensation","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Colorado Supreme Court, Rule Change 2020(29), Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct 7.2 (Colorado Judicial Branch)","url":"https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/Rule_Change_2020-29.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Fee division (U): the Court's own site coloradosupremecourt.com and coloradolegalregulation.com blocked scripts at first (403) and neither exposed the rule text; coloradojudicial.gov hosts only rule-change orders. Court Rule Changes 2016(04) and 2019(05)/(media 14275) show comment [7] to Rule 1.5 (division paragraph is (d) since (e) was repealed; comment says proportion or joint responsibility, client agrees including each lawyer's share, confirmed in writing) but I could not read the text of paragraph (d) itself at an official source, and the Court held a May 2024 hearing on amendments to Rules 1.5 and 1.8 whose outcome I could not confirm. The only full copies found were Colorado Bar Association (cobar.org) PDFs, a voluntary bar and not an official source. Referral (P): read from the Court's Rule Change 2020(29) order, which reprints Rule 7.2 in full; later changes were not checked.","confidence":"low","confidenceBasis":"open question or withheld (U)"},{"id":"referral-ct","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"CT","jurisdictionName":"Connecticut","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee if the client is told in writing of the arrangement and does not object, and the total fee is reasonable; the rule has no proportion or joint-responsibility test.","feeRule":"Conn. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e) (Practice Book)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"no-proportion-test","consent":"other","shareDisclosed":null,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must be advised in writing of the compensation-sharing agreement and of every participating lawyer, and must not object; the client need not sign or give affirmative consent.","feeConditions":"Total fee must be reasonable.","pending":null,"payRule":"Conn. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(c) (Practice Book)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":true,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service.","payDifferences":"Connecticut puts the ban in 7.2(c) and caps nominal thank-you gifts at no more than two per year to any recipient; it has no legal-service-plan item.","sources":[{"label":"Connecticut Judicial Branch, Connecticut Practice Book (2026), Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.jud.ct.gov/Publications/PracticeBook/PB.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"The total fee is reasonable","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Connecticut Judicial Branch, Connecticut Practice Book (2026), Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.jud.ct.gov/Publications/PracticeBook/PB.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"The client is advised in writing of the compensation sharing agreement and of the participation of all the lawyers involved, and does not object","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Connecticut Judicial Branch, Connecticut Practice Book (2026), Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.jud.ct.gov/Publications/PracticeBook/PB.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"The total fee is reasonable","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Connecticut Judicial Branch, Connecticut Practice Book (2026), Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.jud.ct.gov/Publications/PracticeBook/PB.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Connecticut Judicial Branch, Connecticut Practice Book (2026), Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.jud.ct.gov/Publications/PracticeBook/PB.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client is informed of the existence and nature of the agreement","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Connecticut Judicial Branch, Connecticut Practice Book (2026), Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.jud.ct.gov/Publications/PracticeBook/PB.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"give a nominal gift as an expression of appreciation","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Connecticut Judicial Branch, Connecticut Practice Book (2026), Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.jud.ct.gov/Publications/PracticeBook/PB.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"such gifts are limited to no more than two per year to any recipient","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Connecticut Judicial Branch, Connecticut Practice Book (2026), Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.jud.ct.gov/Publications/PracticeBook/PB.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"shareDisclosed null: the rule requires the client be advised of the 'compensation sharing agreement' but does not say the shares must be stated. The 2026 Practice Book PDF loaded from www.jud.ct.gov (info.jud.ct.gov returned 403). Rule 1.5(e) history line: amended June 14, 2013 effective Oct. 1, 2013; Rule 7.2 history line: amended June 13, 2019 effective Jan. 1, 2020. Connecticut numbers its payment ban 7.2(c).","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-dc","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"DC","jurisdictionName":"District of Columbia","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee in proportion to the work each does, or if each takes joint responsibility for the representation.","feeRule":"D.C. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"other","shareDisclosed":false,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must be advised in writing of who the lawyers are, how responsibility is divided and how the outside association affects the fee, and must give informed consent.","feeConditions":"Total fee must be reasonable. Comment [14] says the client need not be told each lawyer's share.","pending":null,"payRule":"D.C. R. Prof. Conduct 7.1(c)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual and reasonable fees or dues charged by a legal service plan or a lawyer referral service (the rule does not require it to be not-for-profit or qualified).","payDifferences":"D.C. has no Rule 7.2; the ban is in 7.1(c), covers only money or 'anything of material value' given in exchange for a recommendation, has no 'not-for-profit or qualified' limit on referral services, and has no nominal-gift exception.","sources":[{"label":"D.C. Bar, District of Columbia Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.dcbar.org/for-lawyers/legal-ethics/rules-of-professional-conduct/client-lawyer-relationship/fees","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"The division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"D.C. Bar, District of Columbia Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.dcbar.org/for-lawyers/legal-ethics/rules-of-professional-conduct/client-lawyer-relationship/fees","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"The client is advised, in writing, of the identity of the lawyers who will participate in the representation","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"D.C. Bar, District of Columbia Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.dcbar.org/for-lawyers/legal-ethics/rules-of-professional-conduct/client-lawyer-relationship/fees","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"The client gives informed consent to the arrangement","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"D.C. Bar, District of Columbia Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.dcbar.org/for-lawyers/legal-ethics/rules-of-professional-conduct/client-lawyer-relationship/fees","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"The Rule does not require disclosure to the client of the share that each lawyer is to receive","supports":"shareDisclosed","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"D.C. Bar, District of Columbia Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.dcbar.org/for-lawyers/legal-ethics/rules-of-professional-conduct/client-lawyer-relationship/fees","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"The total fee is reasonable","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"D.C. Bar, District of Columbia Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.1","url":"https://www.dcbar.org/For-Lawyers/Legal-Ethics/Rules-of-Professional-Conduct/Information-About-Legal-Services/Communications-Concerning-a-Lawyer%E2%80%99s-Services","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"The reciprocal agreement is not exclusive","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"D.C. Bar, District of Columbia Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.1","url":"https://www.dcbar.org/For-Lawyers/Legal-Ethics/Rules-of-Professional-Conduct/Information-About-Legal-Services/Communications-Concerning-a-Lawyer%E2%80%99s-Services","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"The client is informed of the existence and nature of the agreement","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"D.C. Bar, District of Columbia Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.1","url":"https://www.dcbar.org/For-Lawyers/Legal-Ethics/Rules-of-Professional-Conduct/Information-About-Legal-Services/Communications-Concerning-a-Lawyer%E2%80%99s-Services","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"Pay the usual and reasonable fees or dues charged by a legal service plan or a lawyer referral service","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"D.C. Bar, District of Columbia Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.1","url":"https://www.dcbar.org/For-Lawyers/Legal-Ethics/Rules-of-Professional-Conduct/Information-About-Legal-Services/Communications-Concerning-a-Lawyer%E2%80%99s-Services","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"give anything of material value to a person (other than the lawyer's partner or employee) in exchange for recommending the lawyer's services","supports":"differences","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Rule text read on dcbar.org (the D.C. Bar's published copy of the Court of Appeals rules). The D.C. page prints rules in 'Print Page' format with no revision date. Nominal gifts false means the Rule 7.1(c) list has no such exception (the ban reaches only 'material value'). Ethics Opinions 342 and 369 (leads) were not read for this task.","confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"},{"id":"referral-de","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"DE","jurisdictionName":"Delaware","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee if the client is told in writing and does not object, and the total fee is reasonable; there is no proportion or joint-responsibility test.","feeRule":"Del. Lawyers' R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"no-proportion-test","consent":"other","shareDisclosed":false,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must be advised in writing of, and not object to, the participation of all the lawyers involved; the rule does not require the client's affirmative agreement.","feeConditions":"Total fee must be reasonable. Rule 7.2(b) opens with 'Except as permitted by Rule 1.5(e)', so fee splits under 1.5(e) are not treated as payment for a recommendation.","pending":null,"payRule":"Del. Lawyers' R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":false,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service (qualified means approved by an appropriate regulatory authority).","payDifferences":"Delaware has no reciprocal-referral or nominal-gift exception, and it opens with 'Except as permitted by Rule 1.5(e)'.","sources":[{"label":"Delaware Courts, Delaware Lawyers' Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://courts.delaware.gov/forms/download.aspx?id=160568","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the total fee is reasonable","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Delaware Courts, Delaware Lawyers' Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://courts.delaware.gov/forms/download.aspx?id=160568","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client is advised in writing of and does not object to the participation of all the lawyers involved","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Delaware Courts, Delaware Lawyers' Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://courts.delaware.gov/forms/download.aspx?id=160568","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"Except as permitted by Rule 1.5(e), a lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Delaware Courts, Delaware Lawyers' Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://courts.delaware.gov/forms/download.aspx?id=160568","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Delaware Courts, Delaware Lawyers' Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://courts.delaware.gov/forms/download.aspx?id=160568","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"Except as permitted by Rule 1.5(e), a lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services","supports":"differences","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Plain curl got a 'Request Rejected' page from courts.delaware.gov; the same official URL was readable through WebFetch (a PDF of the full rules). The PDF shows no consolidated revision date. false values mean the Rule 7.2(b) list as read has no such exception.","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-fl","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"FL","jurisdictionName":"Florida","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee in proportion to the services each performs, or, under a written agreement with the client, if each assumes joint legal responsibility and stays available to the client; the total fee must be reasonable.","feeRule":"R. Regulating Fla. Bar 4-1.5(g); 4-1.5(f)(4)(D)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"written-agreement","shareDisclosed":null,"cap":"In contingent-fee cases the lawyer with primary responsibility must get at least 75% and the lawyer with secondary responsibility at most 25% of the total fee; more than 25% is presumed clearly excessive unless a court authorizes it where two or more lawyers take substantially equal active participation.","consentText":"If the split is not in proportion to services, the client must agree in writing, and the agreement must disclose that a division will be made and the basis for it; a split in proportion to services needs no stated client agreement.","feeConditions":"Rule 4-1.5(f)(5) requires a closing statement in contingent-fee cases showing the fee each participating lawyer received, signed by all participating lawyers and the client.","pending":null,"payRule":"R. Regulating Fla. Bar 4-7.17(b); see also 4-7.22","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":false,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a lawyer referral service, lawyer directory, qualifying provider or other legal service organization, subject to the limits in Rule 4-7.22.","payDifferences":"Florida has no reciprocal-referral or nominal-gift exception; its list covers advertising costs, usual charges of referral services, directories, qualifying providers and legal service organizations, and buying a practice.","sources":[{"label":"The Florida Bar, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Chapter 4 (RRTFB October 22, 2026), Rule 4-1.5","url":"https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/10/2027_04-OCT-Chapter-4-RRTFB-1.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"The Florida Bar, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Chapter 4 (RRTFB October 22, 2026), Rule 4-1.5","url":"https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/10/2027_04-OCT-Chapter-4-RRTFB-1.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"by written agreement with the client: (A) each lawyer assumes joint legal responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"The Florida Bar, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Chapter 4 (RRTFB October 22, 2026), Rule 4-1.5","url":"https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/10/2027_04-OCT-Chapter-4-RRTFB-1.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"only if the total fee is reasonable","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"The Florida Bar, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Chapter 4 (RRTFB October 22, 2026), Rule 4-1.5","url":"https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/10/2027_04-OCT-Chapter-4-RRTFB-1.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the agreement fully discloses that a division of fees will be made and the basis upon which the division of fees will be made","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"The Florida Bar, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Chapter 4 (RRTFB October 22, 2026), Rule 4-1.5","url":"https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/10/2027_04-OCT-Chapter-4-RRTFB-1.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"To the lawyer assuming secondary responsibility for the legal services on behalf of the client, a maximum of 25% of the total fee.","supports":"cap","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"The Florida Bar, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Chapter 4 (RRTFB October 22, 2026), Rule 4-1.5","url":"https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/10/2027_04-OCT-Chapter-4-RRTFB-1.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"To the lawyer assuming primary responsibility for the legal services on behalf of the client, a minimum of 75% of the total fee.","supports":"cap","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"The Florida Bar, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Chapter 4 (RRTFB October 22, 2026), Rule 4-1.5","url":"https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/10/2027_04-OCT-Chapter-4-RRTFB-1.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"Any fee in excess of 25% will be presumed to be clearly excessive.","supports":"cap","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"The Florida Bar, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Chapter 4 (RRTFB October 22, 2026), Rule 4-1.5","url":"https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/10/2027_04-OCT-Chapter-4-RRTFB-1.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"The 25% limitation will not apply to those cases in which 2 or more lawyers or firms accept substantially equal active participation","supports":"cap","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"The Florida Bar, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Chapter 4 (RRTFB October 22, 2026), Rule 4-1.5","url":"https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/10/2027_04-OCT-Chapter-4-RRTFB-1.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the amount of fee received by each participating lawyer or law firm","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"The Florida Bar, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Chapter 4 (RRTFB October 22, 2026), Rule 4-7.17","url":"https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/10/2027_04-OCT-Chapter-4-RRTFB-1.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer may not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"The Florida Bar, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Chapter 4 (RRTFB October 22, 2026), Rule 4-7.17","url":"https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/10/2027_04-OCT-Chapter-4-RRTFB-1.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"may pay the usual charges of a lawyer referral service, lawyer directory, qualifying provider or other legal service organization","supports":"referralServiceFees","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"The Florida Bar, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Chapter 4 (RRTFB October 22, 2026), Rule 4-7.17","url":"https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/10/2027_04-OCT-Chapter-4-RRTFB-1.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"and may purchase a law practice in accordance with rule 4-1.17","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"The Florida Bar, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Chapter 4 (RRTFB October 22, 2026), Rule 4-7.17","url":"https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/10/2027_04-OCT-Chapter-4-RRTFB-1.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"and may purchase a law practice in accordance with rule 4-1.17","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Fee rule read in the 4-1.5(g) text and 4-1.5(f)(4)(D) of the Oct. 22, 2026 Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. shareDisclosed left null: 4-1.5(g)(2)(B) requires disclosing the basis of the division, which does not clearly say each lawyer's share. 4-1.5(g) says the writing requirement applies to the joint-responsibility route only. Rule 4-7.22 (qualifying providers) adds registration and other conditions on referral services and was not summarized in full here; its comment says a percentage-of-fee payment to a provider is an improper division of fees.","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-ga","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"GA","jurisdictionName":"Georgia","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee in proportion to the work each does, or if each takes joint responsibility for the case, as long as the total fee is reasonable. Joint responsibility must be by written agreement with the client.","feeRule":"Ga. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5 (division of a fee between lawyers not in the same firm)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"other","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must be told each lawyer's share and must not object to all the lawyers taking part; a written agreement with the client is needed only where the lawyers rely on joint responsibility.","feeConditions":"Rule 1.5 also requires a written closing statement in a contingent-fee matter showing the amount each lawyer received and how the division was determined.","pending":null,"payRule":"Ga. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":true,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual and reasonable fees of a lawyer referral service, and the fees or dues of a bar-operated nonprofit referral service, which may be a percentage of the fee, if that service meets listed conditions.","payDifferences":"Georgia adds conditions on referral services (bar-operated nonprofit services, insurance, no added cost to the client) and lets lawyers pay legal services plans or insurers; the rest tracks ABA 7.2(b).","sources":[{"label":"State Bar of Georgia, Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct Handbook, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.gabar.org/handbook?rule=rule105","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or, by written agreement with the client,","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"State Bar of Georgia, Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct Handbook, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.gabar.org/handbook?rule=rule105","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"State Bar of Georgia, Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct Handbook, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.gabar.org/handbook?rule=rule105","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client is advised of the share that each lawyer is to receive and does not object to the participation of all the lawyers involved","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"State Bar of Georgia, Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct Handbook, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.gabar.org/handbook?rule=rule105","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the total fee is reasonable","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"State Bar of Georgia, Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct Handbook, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.gabar.org/handbook?rule=rule105","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the amount of fee received by each and the manner in which the division is determined","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Georgia, Order S24U0172 (Nov. 18, 2025), amended Rule 7.2 effective March 1, 2026","url":"https://www.gasupreme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/S24U0172.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual and reasonable fees or dues charged by a lawyer referral service","supports":"referralServiceFees","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Georgia, Order S24U0172 (Nov. 18, 2025), amended Rule 7.2 effective March 1, 2026","url":"https://www.gasupreme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/S24U0172.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual and reasonable fees or dues charged by a bar-operated nonprofit referral service","supports":"referralServiceFees","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Georgia, Order S24U0172 (Nov. 18, 2025), amended Rule 7.2 effective March 1, 2026","url":"https://www.gasupreme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/S24U0172.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Georgia, Order S24U0172 (Nov. 18, 2025), amended Rule 7.2 effective March 1, 2026","url":"https://www.gasupreme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/S24U0172.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client is informed of the existence and nature of the agreement","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Georgia, Order S24U0172 (Nov. 18, 2025), amended Rule 7.2 effective March 1, 2026","url":"https://www.gasupreme.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/S24U0172.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"give nominal gifts as an expression of appreciation that are neither intended nor reasonably expected to be a form of compensation","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Fee text read on the State Bar of Georgia's online Handbook page (the page embeds the full rule set; paragraph letters are not shown in the extracted text). The Court's Nov. 2025 order refers to the division rule as '1.5 (f)' (7.2 comment 5), while the list structure on the Handbook page puts it fifth, i.e. (e); the citation is therefore left generic. The page also embeds older versions of the rules; the first/current Rule 1.5 text was used. Georgia's Rule 7.2 was amended effective March 1, 2026; text read from the Court's order.","confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"},{"id":"referral-hi","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"HI","jurisdictionName":"Hawaii","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee only if the split is in proportion to services performed and, by written agreement with the client, each lawyer also assumes joint responsibility; the total fee must be reasonable.","feeRule":"Haw. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(f)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-and-joint","consent":"other","shareDisclosed":false,"cap":null,"consentText":"Each lawyer's joint responsibility must be in a written agreement with the client, and the client must be told of and not object to all the lawyers taking part; the shares need not be disclosed.","feeConditions":null,"pending":null,"payRule":"Haw. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":false,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a not-for-profit lawyer referral service or qualified legal assistance organization, including a percentage fee used only for its operating costs and public service work.","payDifferences":"Hawaii has no reciprocal-referral, nominal-gift or legal-service-plan exception; it allows only advertising costs, usual charges of nonprofit referral services or qualified legal assistance organizations, and buying a practice.","sources":[{"label":"Hawai'i State Judiciary, Hawai'i Rules of Professional Conduct (as amended through Jan. 1, 2026)","url":"https://www.courts.state.hi.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/hrpcond_ada.htm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer and, by written agreement with the client,","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Hawai'i State Judiciary, Hawai'i Rules of Professional Conduct (as amended through Jan. 1, 2026)","url":"https://www.courts.state.hi.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/hrpcond_ada.htm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Hawai'i State Judiciary, Hawai'i Rules of Professional Conduct (as amended through Jan. 1, 2026)","url":"https://www.courts.state.hi.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/hrpcond_ada.htm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client is advised of and does not object to the participation of all the lawyers involved","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Hawai'i State Judiciary, Hawai'i Rules of Professional Conduct (as amended through Jan. 1, 2026)","url":"https://www.courts.state.hi.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/hrpcond_ada.htm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the total fee is reasonable","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Hawai'i State Judiciary, Hawai'i Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.courts.state.hi.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/hrpcond_ada.htm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services except that a lawyer may:","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Hawai'i State Judiciary, Hawai'i Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.courts.state.hi.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/hrpcond_ada.htm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a not-for-profit lawyer referral service or qualified legal assistance organization","supports":"referralServiceFees","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Hawai'i State Judiciary, Hawai'i Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.courts.state.hi.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/hrpcond_ada.htm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"any such percentage fee shall be used only to pay the reasonable operating expenses of the service or organization","supports":"referralServiceFees","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Hawai'i State Judiciary, Hawai'i Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.courts.state.hi.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/hrpcond_ada.htm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"and (3) pay for the purchase of a law practice in accordance with Rule 1.17 of these Rules","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Hawai'i State Judiciary, Hawai'i Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.courts.state.hi.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/hrpcond_ada.htm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"and (3) pay for the purchase of a law practice in accordance with Rule 1.17 of these Rules","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Read the Judiciary's HRPC document, which includes amendments effective through January 1, 2026. Fee rule: the 'and' between proportion and joint responsibility is Hawaii's own (ABA says 'or').","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-ia","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"IA","jurisdictionName":"Iowa","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee in proportion to the work each does, or if each takes joint responsibility for the matter, as long as the total fee is reasonable.","feeRule":"Iowa Ct. R. 32:1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"confirmed-in-writing","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree to the arrangement, including each lawyer's share, and the agreement must be confirmed in writing.","feeConditions":null,"pending":null,"payRule":"Iowa Ct. R. 32:7.2(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":true,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service.","payDifferences":null,"sources":[{"label":"Iowa Legislature, Iowa Court Rules, Chapter 32, Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 32:1.5","url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/CourtRulesChapter/32.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Iowa Legislature, Iowa Court Rules, Chapter 32, Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 32:1.5","url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/CourtRulesChapter/32.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client agrees to the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the agreement is confirmed in writing","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Iowa Legislature, Iowa Court Rules, Chapter 32, Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 32:1.5","url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/CourtRulesChapter/32.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the total fee is reasonable","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Iowa Legislature, Iowa Court Rules, Chapter 32, Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 32:7.2","url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/CourtRulesChapter/32.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not compensate, give, or promise anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Iowa Legislature, Iowa Court Rules, Chapter 32, Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 32:7.2","url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/CourtRulesChapter/32.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service","supports":"referralServiceFees","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Iowa Legislature, Iowa Court Rules, Chapter 32, Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 32:7.2","url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/CourtRulesChapter/32.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Iowa Legislature, Iowa Court Rules, Chapter 32, Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 32:7.2","url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/CourtRulesChapter/32.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"give nominal gifts as an expression of appreciation that are neither intended nor reasonably expected to be a form of compensation","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Read the Iowa Legislature's posted Chapter 32 PDF (cover shows December 2020 and an effective date of January 1, 2021); no later amendment was found in a web search but the Iowa Supreme Court's own orders page was not checked. PDF text extraction adds stray spaces inside words; quotes were matched ignoring whitespace.","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-id","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"ID","jurisdictionName":"Idaho","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee in proportion to the work each does, or if each takes joint responsibility for the matter, as long as the total fee is reasonable.","feeRule":"Idaho R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"confirmed-in-writing","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree to the arrangement, including each lawyer's share, and the agreement must be confirmed in writing.","feeConditions":null,"pending":null,"payRule":"Idaho R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(c)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service, meaning one approved by an appropriate regulatory authority.","payDifferences":"Idaho's referral rule is paragraph (c), has no nominal-gift exception, and defines a qualified referral service as one approved by a regulatory authority.","sources":[{"label":"Idaho State Bar, Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct (IRPC), Rule 1.5","url":"https://isb.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/IRPC-acc.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Idaho State Bar, Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct (IRPC), Rule 1.5","url":"https://isb.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/IRPC-acc.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client agrees to the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the agreement is confirmed in writing","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Idaho State Bar, Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct (IRPC), Rule 1.5","url":"https://isb.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/IRPC-acc.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the total fee is reasonable","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Idaho State Bar, Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct (IRPC), Rule 7.2","url":"https://isb.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/IRPC-acc.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services except that a lawyer may","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Idaho State Bar, Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct (IRPC), Rule 7.2","url":"https://isb.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/IRPC-acc.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service","supports":"referralServiceFees","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Idaho State Bar, Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct (IRPC), Rule 7.2","url":"https://isb.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/IRPC-acc.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A qualified lawyer referral service is a lawyer referral service that has been approved by an appropriate regulatory authority","supports":"referralServiceFees","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Idaho State Bar, Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct (IRPC), Rule 7.2","url":"https://isb.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/IRPC-acc.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Idaho State Bar, Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct (IRPC), Rule 7.2","url":"https://isb.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/IRPC-acc.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(ii) the client is informed of the existence and nature of the agreement. (d) Any communication made pursuant to this rule","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Read the Idaho State Bar's accessible PDF of the IRPC (linked from the Bar's IRPC page, which says the rules were adopted by order of the Idaho Supreme Court); PDF text extraction adds stray spaces in a few words, so quotes were matched ignoring whitespace. The PDF shows no amendment date; not cross-checked against the Idaho Supreme Court site.","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-il","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"IL","jurisdictionName":"Illinois","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee in proportion to the services each performs, or, if one lawyer's main service is referring the client, if each lawyer assumes joint financial responsibility; the total fee must be reasonable.","feeRule":"Ill. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(f)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"other","consent":"confirmed-in-writing","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree to the arrangement, including each lawyer's share, and the agreement must be confirmed in writing.","feeConditions":null,"pending":null,"payRule":"Ill. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(b)-(f)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of an intermediary connecting service (lead generators, directories, referral services) if the lawyer discloses the relationship and takes steps to confirm the service meets the rule's conditions.","payDifferences":"Illinois has no nominal-gift or legal-service-plan exception in (b) and replaces the referral-service exception with the intermediary connecting service rules in (c)-(f), which bar outcome-based or percentage-of-fee charges except for bar association or legal aid services.","sources":[{"label":"Illinois Supreme Court, Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct of 2010, Rule 1.5 (amended eff. July 1, 2023)","url":"https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/resources/ce9cba94-4700-49ed-9183-a43cfcd0c3a5/file","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer,","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Illinois Supreme Court, Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct of 2010, Rule 1.5 (amended eff. July 1, 2023)","url":"https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/resources/ce9cba94-4700-49ed-9183-a43cfcd0c3a5/file","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"if the primary service performed by one lawyer is the referral of the client to another lawyer","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Illinois Supreme Court, Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct of 2010, Rule 1.5 (amended eff. July 1, 2023)","url":"https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/resources/ce9cba94-4700-49ed-9183-a43cfcd0c3a5/file","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"each lawyer assumes joint financial responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Illinois Supreme Court, Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct of 2010, Rule 1.5 (amended eff. July 1, 2023)","url":"https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/resources/ce9cba94-4700-49ed-9183-a43cfcd0c3a5/file","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client agrees to the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the agreement is confirmed in writing","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Illinois Supreme Court, Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct of 2010, Rule 1.5 (amended eff. July 1, 2023)","url":"https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/resources/ce9cba94-4700-49ed-9183-a43cfcd0c3a5/file","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the total fee is reasonable","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Illinois Supreme Court, Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct of 2010, Rule 7.2 (amended eff. July 1, 2025)","url":"https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/39c73f58-b094-4603-84a9-a590a1f17b97/RULE%207.2.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services except that a lawyer may","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Illinois Supreme Court, Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct of 2010, Rule 7.2 (amended eff. July 1, 2025)","url":"https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/39c73f58-b094-4603-84a9-a590a1f17b97/RULE%207.2.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer may accept a connection of a potential client through, and/or pay the usual charges of, an intermediary connecting service (ICS)","supports":"referralServiceFees","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Illinois Supreme Court, Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct of 2010, Rule 7.2 (amended eff. July 1, 2025)","url":"https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/39c73f58-b094-4603-84a9-a590a1f17b97/RULE%207.2.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"except for a bar association or legal aid organization ICS","supports":"referralServiceFees","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Illinois Supreme Court, Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct of 2010, Rule 7.2 (amended eff. July 1, 2025)","url":"https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/39c73f58-b094-4603-84a9-a590a1f17b97/RULE%207.2.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Illinois Supreme Court, Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct of 2010, Rule 7.2 (amended eff. July 1, 2025)","url":"https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/39c73f58-b094-4603-84a9-a590a1f17b97/RULE%207.2.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(1) pay the reasonable costs of advertisements or communications permitted by this Rule; (2) pay for a law practice in accordance with Rule 1.17","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Fee rule read on the Illinois Supreme Court's rules page and PDF (illinoiscourts.gov). Rule 7.2 PDF text extraction adds a few stray spaces; quotes matched ignoring whitespace.","confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"},{"id":"referral-in","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"IN","jurisdictionName":"Indiana","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee in proportion to the work each does, or if each takes joint responsibility for the matter, as long as the total fee is reasonable.","feeRule":"Ind. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"confirmed-in-writing","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree to the arrangement, including each lawyer's share, and the agreement must be confirmed in writing.","feeConditions":null,"pending":null,"payRule":"Ind. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service that meets Rule 7.3(d).","payDifferences":"Indiana also bars giving anything of value for 'advertising' the lawyer's services, has no nominal-gift exception, and ties referral services to Rule 7.3(d).","sources":[{"label":"Indiana Courts, Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/prof-conduct/rule1-5/current.htm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Indiana Courts, Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/prof-conduct/rule1-5/current.htm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client agrees to the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the agreement is confirmed in writing","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Indiana Courts, Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/prof-conduct/rule1-5/current.htm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the total fee is reasonable","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Indiana Courts, Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/prof-conduct/rule7-2/current.htm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending or advertising the lawyer's services except that a lawyer may:","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Indiana Courts, Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/prof-conduct/rule7-2/current.htm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service described in Rule 7.3(d)","supports":"referralServiceFees","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Indiana Courts, Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/prof-conduct/rule7-2/current.htm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Indiana Courts, Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/prof-conduct/rule7-2/current.htm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(c) Any communication subject to this rule shall include the name and office address of at least one lawyer","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Read both rules on the Indiana courts rules site ('current' pages). Rule 7.2 page header shows 'Effective January 1, 2011'; Rule 1.5 'Effective January 1, 2005'.","confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"},{"id":"referral-ks","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"KS","jurisdictionName":"Kansas","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee, including a part paid only for referring the case, if the total fee is reasonable and the client is told and does not object; there is no proportion or joint-responsibility test.","feeRule":"Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 240, KRPC 1.5(g)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"no-proportion-test","consent":"consent-no-writing","shareDisclosed":false,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must be advised of the division and not object; the rule names no writing.","feeConditions":"The rule expressly allows a portion of the fee to be designated for referring the matter.","pending":null,"payRule":"Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 240, KRPC 7.2(c)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":false,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a not-for-profit lawyer referral service or other legal service organization.","payDifferences":"Kansas allows only two payments for a recommendation: reasonable ad costs and the usual charges of a not-for-profit lawyer referral service or legal service organization; there is no reciprocal-referral or nominal-gift exception.","sources":[{"label":"Kansas Judicial Branch, Rule 240 1.5: Fees","url":"https://www.kscourts.gov/Rules-Orders/Rules/1-5-Client-Lawyer-Relationship-Fees","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A division of fee, which may include a portion designated for referral of a matter","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Kansas Judicial Branch, Rule 240 1.5: Fees","url":"https://www.kscourts.gov/Rules-Orders/Rules/1-5-Client-Lawyer-Relationship-Fees","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the total fee is reasonable and the client is advised of and does not object to the division","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Kansas Judicial Branch, Rule 240 7.2: Advertising","url":"https://www.kscourts.gov/Rules-Orders/Rules/Rule-240-7-2-Advertising","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer’s services","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Kansas Judicial Branch, Rule 240 7.2: Advertising","url":"https://www.kscourts.gov/Rules-Orders/Rules/Rule-240-7-2-Advertising","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"may pay the usual charges of a not-for-profit lawyer referral service or other legal service organization","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Read in a browser on kscourts.gov (scripted downloads are blocked by the host; the page loaded normally with no challenge). Rule 1.5 history note: (g) amended effective March 11, 1999.","confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"},{"id":"referral-ky","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"KY","jurisdictionName":"Kentucky","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee in proportion to the work each does, or if each takes joint responsibility for the case, and the total fee is reasonable.","feeRule":"Ky. SCR 3.130(1.5)(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"confirmed-in-writing","shareDisclosed":false,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree to the arrangement, and the agreement is confirmed in writing.","feeConditions":null,"pending":null,"payRule":"Ky. SCR 3.130(7.20)(2)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit lawyer referral service.","payDifferences":"Kentucky's ban covers payments to a non-lawyer, names only not-for-profit referral services and has no nominal-gift exception.","sources":[{"label":"Kentucky Court Rules (official Westlaw-hosted publication), SCR 3.130(1.5) Fees","url":"https://govt.westlaw.com/kyrules/Document/N31BEFB50BB6A11ECB043DD63579CCC35?viewType=FullText&originationContext=documenttoc&transitionType=CategoryPageItem&contextData=(sc.Default)","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer, or, each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Kentucky Court Rules (official Westlaw-hosted publication), SCR 3.130(1.5) Fees","url":"https://govt.westlaw.com/kyrules/Document/N31BEFB50BB6A11ECB043DD63579CCC35?viewType=FullText&originationContext=documenttoc&transitionType=CategoryPageItem&contextData=(sc.Default)","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client agrees to the arrangement and the agreement is confirmed in writing","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Kentucky Court Rules (official Westlaw-hosted publication), SCR 3.130(1.5) Fees","url":"https://govt.westlaw.com/kyrules/Document/N31BEFB50BB6A11ECB043DD63579CCC35?viewType=FullText&originationContext=documenttoc&transitionType=CategoryPageItem&contextData=(sc.Default)","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the total fee is reasonable","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Kentucky Court Rules (official Westlaw-hosted publication), SCR 3.130(7.20) Advertising","url":"https://govt.westlaw.com/kyrules/Document/N46420B10A91D11DA8F5EE32367A250AE?viewType=FullText&originationContext=documenttoc&transitionType=CategoryPageItem&contextData=(sc.Default)","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a non-lawyer for recommending the lawyer's services except that a lawyer may","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Kentucky Court Rules (official Westlaw-hosted publication), SCR 3.130(7.20) Advertising","url":"https://govt.westlaw.com/kyrules/Document/N46420B10A91D11DA8F5EE32367A250AE?viewType=FullText&originationContext=documenttoc&transitionType=CategoryPageItem&contextData=(sc.Default)","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"Pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit lawyer referral service","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Kentucky Court Rules (official Westlaw-hosted publication), SCR 3.130(7.20) Advertising","url":"https://govt.westlaw.com/kyrules/Document/N46420B10A91D11DA8F5EE32367A250AE?viewType=FullText&originationContext=documenttoc&transitionType=CategoryPageItem&contextData=(sc.Default)","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"The reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Read in a browser on govt.westlaw.com/kyrules, the official publication linked by the Kentucky courts (scripted downloads met a bot challenge; the browser loaded the pages with no challenge to solve). Westlaw shows the rules current with amendments received through October 1, 2026. Unlike the ABA text, Kentucky's 1.5(e)(2) does not mention each lawyer's share.","confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"},{"id":"referral-la","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"LA","jurisdictionName":"Louisiana","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee only if the total fee is reasonable and each lawyer renders meaningful legal services in the matter; there is no proportion test or joint-responsibility alternative.","feeRule":"La. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"other","consent":"written-agreement","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree in writing to the representation by all the lawyers and be advised in writing of the share of the fee each lawyer will receive.","feeConditions":"Each lawyer must render meaningful legal services for the client in the matter.","pending":null,"payRule":"La. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(c)(13)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":false,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual, reasonable and customary charges of a referral service run by the Louisiana State Bar Association, a local bar association or another not-for-profit organization that refers all requesters, bars fee increases to cover its charges, and distributes cases by random allotment or rotation.","payDifferences":"Only advertising costs and conditioned referral-service charges are allowed; no legal-service-plan, practice-purchase, reciprocal-referral or nominal-gift exception. Rule 7.2(c)(11) also bars paying part of another firm's advertisement.","sources":[{"label":"Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board, Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct (amendments through May 10, 2023), Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.ladb.org/docs/Publication/ROPC/ROPC.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"each lawyer renders meaningful legal services for the client in the matter","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board, Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct (amendments through May 10, 2023), Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.ladb.org/docs/Publication/ROPC/ROPC.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the total fee is reasonable;","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board, Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct (amendments through May 10, 2023), Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.ladb.org/docs/Publication/ROPC/ROPC.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client agrees in writing to the representation by all of the lawyers involved,","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board, Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct (amendments through May 10, 2023), Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.ladb.org/docs/Publication/ROPC/ROPC.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"is advised in writing as to the share of the fee that each lawyer will receive","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board, Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct (amendments through May 10, 2023), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.ladb.org/docs/Publication/ROPC/ROPC.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services, except that a lawyer may pay","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board, Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct (amendments through May 10, 2023), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.ladb.org/docs/Publication/ROPC/ROPC.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer may pay the usual, reasonable and customary charges of a lawyer referral service operated by the Louisiana State Bar Association","supports":"referral-service","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board, Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct (amendments through May 10, 2023), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.ladb.org/docs/Publication/ROPC/ROPC.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"fairly and equitably distributes referral cases among the participating lawyers, within their area of practice, by random allotment or by rotation","supports":"referral-service","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board, Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct (amendments through May 10, 2023), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.ladb.org/docs/Publication/ROPC/ROPC.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"No lawyer shall, directly or indirectly, pay all or a part of the cost of an advertisement by a lawyer not in the same firm.","supports":"other","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Louisiana puts the payment-for-recommendations rule in Rule 7.2(c)(13). Rule 1.5(e) and 7.2 were read in the Disciplinary Board's published compilation; the team's LSBA advertising PDF (amendments through Jan. 1, 2022) covers only Rules 7.x and has the same 7.2(c)(13) text. The Disciplinary Board is the Supreme Court's disciplinary arm; I did not find the rule text on lasc.org or lsba.org. Amendments after May 10, 2023 were not checked. Rule 7.2(a)(B) allows promotional items (mugs, pens) in advertising but that is not a thank-you gift exception for recommendations, so nominalGifts is false.","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-ma","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"MA","jurisdictionName":"Massachusetts","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee, including a referral fee, without a proportion or joint-responsibility test, if the client is told up front and consents in writing and the total fee is reasonable.","feeRule":"Mass. R. Prof. C. 1.5(e) (SJC Rule 3:07)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"no-proportion-test","consent":"other","shareDisclosed":false,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must be told, before or when signing the fee agreement, that the fee will be divided, and must consent to the joint participation in writing.","feeConditions":"Timing: notice comes before or at the time the client signs the fee agreement for the matter. The rule names referral fees expressly.","pending":null,"payRule":"Mass. R. Prof. C. 7.2(b) (SJC Rule 3:07)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":true,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan, a not-for-profit lawyer referral service or a qualified legal assistance organization.","payDifferences":"Tracks ABA 7.2(b), but names not-for-profit referral services and qualified legal assistance organizations instead of 'qualified lawyer referral service'.","sources":[{"label":"Mass.gov, Supreme Judicial Court Rules, Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.5: Fees","url":"https://www.mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/rules-of-professional-conduct-rule-15-fees","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A division of a fee (including a referral fee) between lawyers who are not in the same firm may be made only if","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Mass.gov, Supreme Judicial Court Rules, Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.5: Fees","url":"https://www.mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/rules-of-professional-conduct-rule-15-fees","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client is notified before or at the time the client enters into a fee agreement for the matter","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Mass.gov, Supreme Judicial Court Rules, Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.5: Fees","url":"https://www.mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/rules-of-professional-conduct-rule-15-fees","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"consents to the joint participation in writing and the total fee is reasonable","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Mass.gov, Supreme Judicial Court Rules, Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/rules-of-professional-conduct-rule-72-communications-concerning-a-lawyers-services-specific-rules","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall neither compensate nor give or promise anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Mass.gov, Supreme Judicial Court Rules, Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/rules-of-professional-conduct-rule-72-communications-concerning-a-lawyers-services-specific-rules","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a legal service plan, not-for-profit lawyer referral service, or qualified legal assistance organization","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Mass.gov, Supreme Judicial Court Rules, Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/rules-of-professional-conduct-rule-72-communications-concerning-a-lawyers-services-specific-rules","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Mass.gov, Supreme Judicial Court Rules, Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/rules-of-professional-conduct-rule-72-communications-concerning-a-lawyers-services-specific-rules","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"give nominal gifts as an expression of appreciation that are neither intended nor reasonably expected to be a form of compensation","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Read in a browser on mass.gov (scripted downloads return 403; the pages loaded normally). shareDisclosed is false: the rule requires notice that a division will be made and written consent to the joint participation, not disclosure of each share.","confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"},{"id":"referral-md","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"MD","jurisdictionName":"Maryland","status":"P","text":"Attorneys in different firms may split a fee in proportion to the work each does, or if each assumes joint responsibility for the representation.","feeRule":"Md. Rule 19-301.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"confirmed-in-writing","shareDisclosed":false,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree to the joint representation and the agreement must be confirmed in writing; the rule does not mention telling the client each attorney's share.","feeConditions":"Comment [7] says joint responsibility means financial and ethical responsibility as if the attorneys were partners.","pending":null,"payRule":"Md. Rule 19-307.2(c)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"An attorney may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit attorney referral service.","payDifferences":"The reciprocal-referral exception covers only non-attorney professionals (not other lawyers), there is no nominal-gift exception, and the referral-service exception does not say 'qualified'.","sources":[{"label":"Maryland Judiciary, Maryland Rules, Title 19 chapters 100 to 300 (Attorneys' Rules of Professional Conduct), Rule 19-301.5","url":"https://www.courts.state.md.us/sites/default/files/rules/supporting/178title19chapters100x300.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each attorney or each attorney assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Maryland Judiciary, Maryland Rules, Title 19 chapters 100 to 300 (Attorneys' Rules of Professional Conduct), Rule 19-301.5","url":"https://www.courts.state.md.us/sites/default/files/rules/supporting/178title19chapters100x300.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client agrees to the joint representation and the agreement is confirmed in writing","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Maryland Judiciary, Maryland Rules, Title 19 chapters 100 to 300 (Attorneys' Rules of Professional Conduct), Rule 19-301.5","url":"https://www.courts.state.md.us/sites/default/files/rules/supporting/178title19chapters100x300.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"Joint responsibility for the representation entails financial and ethical responsibility for the representation as if the attorneys were associated in a partnership.","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Maryland Judiciary, Maryland Rules, Title 19 chapters 100 to 300 (Attorneys' Rules of Professional Conduct), Rule 19-307.2","url":"https://www.courts.state.md.us/sites/default/files/rules/supporting/178title19chapters100x300.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"An attorney shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the attorney's services, except that an attorney may:","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Maryland Judiciary, Maryland Rules, Title 19 chapters 100 to 300 (Attorneys' Rules of Professional Conduct), Rule 19-307.2","url":"https://www.courts.state.md.us/sites/default/files/rules/supporting/178title19chapters100x300.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit attorney referral service","supports":"referral-service","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Maryland Judiciary, Maryland Rules, Title 19 chapters 100 to 300 (Attorneys' Rules of Professional Conduct), Rule 19-307.2","url":"https://www.courts.state.md.us/sites/default/files/rules/supporting/178title19chapters100x300.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"refer clients to a non-attorney professional pursuant to an agreement not otherwise prohibited under these Rules that","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Maryland Judiciary, Maryland Rules, Title 19 chapters 100 to 300 (Attorneys' Rules of Professional Conduct), Rule 19-307.2","url":"https://www.courts.state.md.us/sites/default/files/rules/supporting/178title19chapters100x300.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the reciprocal agreement is not exclusive, and","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Maryland Judiciary, Maryland Rules, Title 19 chapters 100 to 300 (Attorneys' Rules of Professional Conduct), Rule 19-307.2","url":"https://www.courts.state.md.us/sites/default/files/rules/supporting/178title19chapters100x300.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay for a law practice purchased in accordance with Rule 19-301.17 (1.17); and","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"The official PDF's own metadata shows it was created June 2016 (it is the Judiciary's Title 19 chapters 100-300 compilation linked by the team). I did not find a newer compilation. I scanned the Judiciary's rules orders listed from the 212th (2022) onward for changes to 19-301.5 and 19-307.2 and found none; orders from 2016 to 2022 were not checked. A 2023 Appellate Court of Maryland opinion (Bennett v. Ashcraft & Gerel, No. 31, Sept. Term 2022, courts.state.md.us) quotes 19-301.5(e) with the same wording, but it is not used as a cited source. In the PDF the rule reads 19-307.2(c), not (b); (b) is a three-year recordkeeping duty.","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-me","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"ME","jurisdictionName":"Maine","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee if the client consents after full disclosure and the total fee is reasonable; the rule has no proportion-of-work or joint-responsibility test.","feeRule":"Me. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"no-proportion-test","consent":"confirmed-in-writing","shareDisclosed":null,"cap":null,"consentText":"After full disclosure, the client must consent to the other lawyer's employment and to the terms for dividing the fees, and the consent must be confirmed in writing.","feeConditions":"The lawyers' total fee may not exceed reasonable compensation for all the legal services they rendered to the client.","pending":null,"payRule":"Me. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service, defined as one operated, sponsored or approved by a bar association or bar regulatory organization.","payDifferences":"Matches ABA 7.2(b) except there is no exception for nominal thank-you gifts, and 'qualified lawyer referral service' is defined in the rule.","sources":[{"label":"Maine Judicial Branch, Maine Rules of Professional Conduct (amendments effective Sept. 28, 2023), Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.courts.maine.gov/rules/text/mr_prof_conduct_only_2023-09-28.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"who is not a partner in or associate of the lawyer's law firm or office unless:","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Maine Judicial Branch, Maine Rules of Professional Conduct (amendments effective Sept. 28, 2023), Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.courts.maine.gov/rules/text/mr_prof_conduct_only_2023-09-28.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client consents to the employment of the other lawyer and to the terms for the division of the fees, confirmed in writing","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Maine Judicial Branch, Maine Rules of Professional Conduct (amendments effective Sept. 28, 2023), Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.courts.maine.gov/rules/text/mr_prof_conduct_only_2023-09-28.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"after full disclosure,","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Maine Judicial Branch, Maine Rules of Professional Conduct (amendments effective Sept. 28, 2023), Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.courts.maine.gov/rules/text/mr_prof_conduct_only_2023-09-28.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the total fee of the lawyers does not exceed reasonable compensation for all legal services they rendered to the client","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Maine Judicial Branch, Maine Rules of Professional Conduct (amendments effective Sept. 28, 2023), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.courts.maine.gov/rules/text/mr_prof_conduct_only_2023-09-28.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services except that a lawyer may","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Maine Judicial Branch, Maine Rules of Professional Conduct (amendments effective Sept. 28, 2023), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.courts.maine.gov/rules/text/mr_prof_conduct_only_2023-09-28.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service.","supports":"referral-service","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Maine Judicial Branch, Maine Rules of Professional Conduct (amendments effective Sept. 28, 2023), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.courts.maine.gov/rules/text/mr_prof_conduct_only_2023-09-28.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A qualified lawyer referral service is a lawyer referral service operated, sponsored or approved by a bar association or bar regulatory organization","supports":"referral-service","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Maine Judicial Branch, Maine Rules of Professional Conduct (amendments effective Sept. 28, 2023), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.courts.maine.gov/rules/text/mr_prof_conduct_only_2023-09-28.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(i) the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive, and (ii) the client is informed of the existence and nature of the agreement.","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Maine Judicial Branch, Maine Rules of Professional Conduct (amendments effective Sept. 28, 2023), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.courts.maine.gov/rules/text/mr_prof_conduct_only_2023-09-28.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(3) pay for a law practice in accordance with Rule 1.17; and","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Maine 1.5(e) says the client consents 'to the terms for the division of the fees'; it does not say in terms that each lawyer's share must be disclosed, so shareDisclosed is null. The PDF is the Judicial Branch compilation last reviewed Sept. 28, 2023; amendments after that date were not checked.","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-mi","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"MI","jurisdictionName":"Michigan","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee if the client is told about all the lawyers and does not object and the total fee is reasonable; there is no proportion-of-work or joint-responsibility test.","feeRule":"Mich. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"no-proportion-test","consent":"consent-no-writing","shareDisclosed":false,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must be advised of, and not object to, the participation of all the lawyers; no writing is required and the rule does not mention each lawyer's share.","feeConditions":null,"pending":null,"payRule":"Mich. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(c)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":false,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a not-for-profit lawyer referral service or other legal service organization that meets the requirements of Rule 6.3(b).","payDifferences":"Only three exceptions (advertising costs, a not-for-profit referral service or other legal service organization meeting Rule 6.3(b), buying a practice); no reciprocal-referral exception, no nominal-gift exception, and no separate legal-service-plan wording.","sources":[{"label":"Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct (updated with orders effective 1/1/2026), Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.courts.mi.gov/Courts/MichiganSupremeCourt/rules/Documents/Michigan%20Rules%20of%20Professional%20Conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the total fee is reasonable.","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct (updated with orders effective 1/1/2026), Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.courts.mi.gov/Courts/MichiganSupremeCourt/rules/Documents/Michigan%20Rules%20of%20Professional%20Conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client is advised of and does not object to the participation of all the lawyers involved","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct (updated with orders effective 1/1/2026), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.courts.mi.gov/Courts/MichiganSupremeCourt/rules/Documents/Michigan%20Rules%20of%20Professional%20Conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services, except that a lawyer may:","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct (updated with orders effective 1/1/2026), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.courts.mi.gov/Courts/MichiganSupremeCourt/rules/Documents/Michigan%20Rules%20of%20Professional%20Conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"participate in, and pay the usual charges of, a not-for-profit lawyer referral service or other legal service organization","supports":"referral-service","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct (updated with orders effective 1/1/2026), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.courts.mi.gov/Courts/MichiganSupremeCourt/rules/Documents/Michigan%20Rules%20of%20Professional%20Conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay for a law practice in accordance with Rule 1.17.","supports":"list-ends","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"The PDF header states it is updated with Michigan Supreme Court orders effective 1/1/2026. In this rule the recommendation payment ban is 7.2(c), not (b); 7.2(b) is a record-keeping duty. Michigan's 1.5(e) comment was not read for share-disclosure language.","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-mn","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"MN","jurisdictionName":"Minnesota","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee in proportion to the work each does, or if each takes joint responsibility for the representation.","feeRule":"Minn. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"confirmed-in-writing","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree to the arrangement, including each lawyer's share, and the agreement must be confirmed in writing.","feeConditions":null,"pending":null,"payRule":"Minn. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":true,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service.","payDifferences":null,"sources":[{"label":"Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, Court Rules, Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.revisor.mn.gov/court_rules/pr/subtype/cond/id/1.5/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, Court Rules, Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.revisor.mn.gov/court_rules/pr/subtype/cond/id/1.5/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client agrees to the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the agreement is confirmed in writing","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, Court Rules, Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.revisor.mn.gov/court_rules/pr/subtype/cond/id/7.2/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service","supports":"referral-service","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, Court Rules, Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.revisor.mn.gov/court_rules/pr/subtype/cond/id/7.2/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, Court Rules, Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.revisor.mn.gov/court_rules/pr/subtype/cond/id/7.2/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"give nominal gifts as an expression of appreciation that are neither intended nor reasonably expected to be a form of compensation","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Text matches the ABA Model Rules for both provisions. Rule 7.2 shows amendment effective September 1, 2022; no pending amendment seen on the page.","confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"},{"id":"referral-mo","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"MO","jurisdictionName":"Missouri","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee if the split matches the work each does, or if each lawyer takes joint responsibility for the representation, and the total fee is reasonable.","feeRule":"Mo. Sup. Ct. R. 4-1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"confirmed-in-writing","shareDisclosed":false,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree to the association of the other lawyer, and that agreement must be confirmed in writing.","feeConditions":null,"pending":null,"payRule":"Mo. Sup. Ct. R. 4-7.2(c)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":false,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a qualified lawyer referral service registered under Rule 4-9.1 or another not-for-profit legal services organization.","payDifferences":"Missouri keeps the ban on giving anything of value for a recommendation but has no exception for reciprocal referral agreements or nominal thank-you gifts, and its practice-sale exception covers only the cost of notices.","sources":[{"label":"Supreme Court of Missouri, Rule 4-1.5 Fees (Clerk Handbooks, Supreme Court Rules, courts.mo.gov)","url":"https://www.courts.mo.gov/courts/ClerkHandbooksP2RulesOnly.nsf/c0c6ffa99df4993f86256ba50057dcb8/6ebe0456bcc45d6186256ca6005211df?OpenDocument","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Missouri, Rule 4-1.5 Fees (Clerk Handbooks, Supreme Court Rules, courts.mo.gov)","url":"https://www.courts.mo.gov/courts/ClerkHandbooksP2RulesOnly.nsf/c0c6ffa99df4993f86256ba50057dcb8/6ebe0456bcc45d6186256ca6005211df?OpenDocument","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client agrees to the association and the agreement is confirmed in writing","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Missouri, Rule 4-7.2 Advertising (Clerk Handbooks, Supreme Court Rules, courts.mo.gov)","url":"https://www.courts.mo.gov/courts/ClerkHandbooksP2RulesOnly.nsf/c0c6ffa99df4993f86256ba50057dcb8/9ec523dc894bc66d86256ca60052120f?OpenDocument","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"a lawyer may pay the usual charges of a qualified lawyer referral service registered under Rule 4-9.1 or other not-for-profit legal services organization","supports":"referralServiceFees","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Missouri, Rule 4-7.2 Advertising (Clerk Handbooks, Supreme Court Rules, courts.mo.gov)","url":"https://www.courts.mo.gov/courts/ClerkHandbooksP2RulesOnly.nsf/c0c6ffa99df4993f86256ba50057dcb8/9ec523dc894bc66d86256ca60052120f?OpenDocument","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services, except that:","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Missouri, Rule 4-7.2 Advertising (Clerk Handbooks, Supreme Court Rules, courts.mo.gov)","url":"https://www.courts.mo.gov/courts/ClerkHandbooksP2RulesOnly.nsf/c0c6ffa99df4993f86256ba50057dcb8/9ec523dc894bc66d86256ca60052120f?OpenDocument","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(1) a lawyer may pay the reasonable cost of advertising or written communication permitted by this Rule 4-7.2;","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Rule 4-7.2(c) is read from the court's page showing a revised/effective date of July 1, 2010; Rule 4-1.5 page shows January 1, 2008. courts.mo.gov blocks some page.jsp URLs with a 403 scraper notice, but the ClerkHandbooksP2RulesOnly rule pages loaded with curl. Comment [2] to 4-7.2 mentions not-for-profit lawyer referral programs. No pending amendment seen on those pages.","confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"},{"id":"referral-ms","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"MS","jurisdictionName":"Mississippi","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee in proportion to the work each does, or if each takes joint responsibility under a written agreement with the client.","feeRule":"Miss. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"other","shareDisclosed":false,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must be advised of, and not object to, all the lawyers' participation; a writing is required only for the joint-responsibility route, where the responsibility is assumed by written agreement with the client.","feeConditions":"The comment says joint responsibility carries the obligations stated in Rule 5.1.","pending":null,"payRule":"Miss. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(i)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":false,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a lawyer referral service or other legal service organization, with no not-for-profit or qualified requirement stated.","payDifferences":"Only two exceptions (reasonable advertising costs; usual charges of a lawyer referral service or other legal service organization); no practice-purchase, reciprocal-referral or nominal-gift exceptions.","sources":[{"label":"Supreme Court of Mississippi, Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_of_professional_conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or, by written agreement with the client,","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Mississippi, Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_of_professional_conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Mississippi, Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_of_professional_conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client is advised of and does not object to the participation of all the lawyers involved","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Mississippi, Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_of_professional_conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"It does not require disclosure to the client of the share that each lawyer is to receive.","supports":"share","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Mississippi, Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_of_professional_conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"Joint responsibility for the representation entails the obligations stated in Rule 5.1 for purposes of the matter involved.","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Mississippi, Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_of_professional_conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"The lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services, except that a lawyer may pay","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Mississippi, Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_of_professional_conduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"may pay the usual charges of a lawyer referral service or to other legal service organization.","supports":"referral-service","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"The recommendation-payment ban is in 7.2(i) in this document (the team lead cited 7.2(h); (h) is the filing/record-keeping duty). The PDF has no date on its face; its 7.2 history note ends with the October 1, 2004 amendment and the file contains leftover strike-through text (for example 'five (3)'), so later amendments, if any, were not confirmed.","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-mt","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"MT","jurisdictionName":"Montana","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee if the split matches the work each does, or if each lawyer takes joint responsibility for the representation, and the total fee is reasonable.","feeRule":"Mont. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"confirmed-in-writing","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree to the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the agreement must be confirmed in writing.","feeConditions":null,"pending":null,"payRule":"Mont. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":true,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit lawyer referral service.","payDifferences":"Matches ABA 7.2(b) except that Montana's referral-service exception covers a not-for-profit lawyer referral service and does not add \"or qualified\"; it also bars promising anything of value.","sources":[{"label":"State Bar of Montana, Montana Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.montanabar.org/For-Attorneys/Ethics-Resources/Professional-Conduct","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"State Bar of Montana, Montana Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.montanabar.org/For-Attorneys/Ethics-Resources/Professional-Conduct","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client agrees to the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the agreement is confirmed in writing","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"State Bar of Montana, Montana Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2 Communications Concerning a Lawyer's Services: Specific Rules","url":"https://www.montanabar.org/For-Attorneys/Ethics-Resources/Professional-Conduct","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit lawyer referral service","supports":"referralServiceFees","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"State Bar of Montana, Montana Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2 Communications Concerning a Lawyer's Services: Specific Rules","url":"https://www.montanabar.org/For-Attorneys/Ethics-Resources/Professional-Conduct","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"State Bar of Montana, Montana Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2 Communications Concerning a Lawyer's Services: Specific Rules","url":"https://www.montanabar.org/For-Attorneys/Ethics-Resources/Professional-Conduct","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"give nominal gifts as an expression of appreciation that are neither intended nor reasonably expected to be a form of compensation","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Read from the State Bar of Montana's own copy of the rules (the page linked from the Montana courts law library). The page text has a stray footnote marker (\"and 8\") after 1.5(e)(2); no quote spans it. Rule 7.2(b)(3) cites Rule 1.19 for sale of a practice. No pending amendment seen on the page.","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-nc","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"NC","jurisdictionName":"North Carolina","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee in proportion to the work each does, or if each takes joint responsibility for the representation.","feeRule":"N.C. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"confirmed-in-writing","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree to the arrangement, including each lawyer's share, and the agreement must be confirmed in writing.","feeConditions":"The total fee must be reasonable.","pending":null,"payRule":"N.C. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":false,"nominalGifts":true,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of an intermediary organization that complies with Rule 7.4, or a prepaid legal services plan that complies with 27 N.C. Admin. Code 1E.0301 et seq.","payDifferences":"It has no reciprocal-referral exception, and it refers to an intermediary organization under Rule 7.4 and a State Bar-regulated prepaid plan instead of a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service.","sources":[{"label":"North Carolina State Bar, Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.ncbar.gov/for-lawyers/ethics-and-governing-rules/rules-of-professional-conduct/10-119-client-lawyer-relationship/15-fees/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation;","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"North Carolina State Bar, Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.ncbar.gov/for-lawyers/ethics-and-governing-rules/rules-of-professional-conduct/10-119-client-lawyer-relationship/15-fees/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client agrees to the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the agreement is confirmed in writing;","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"North Carolina State Bar, Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.ncbar.gov/for-lawyers/ethics-and-governing-rules/rules-of-professional-conduct/10-119-client-lawyer-relationship/15-fees/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the total fee is reasonable.","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"North Carolina State Bar, Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.ncbar.gov/for-lawyers/ethics-and-governing-rules/rules-of-professional-conduct/71-76-information-about-legal-services/72-communications-concerning-a-lawyers-services-specific-rules/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of an intermediary organization that complies with Rule 7.4, or a prepaid legal services plan","supports":"referral service","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"North Carolina State Bar, Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.ncbar.gov/for-lawyers/ethics-and-governing-rules/rules-of-professional-conduct/71-76-information-about-legal-services/72-communications-concerning-a-lawyers-services-specific-rules/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"give nominal gifts as an expression of appreciation that are neither intended nor reasonably expected to be a form of compensation","supports":"gifts","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"North Carolina State Bar, Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.ncbar.gov/for-lawyers/ethics-and-governing-rules/rules-of-professional-conduct/71-76-information-about-legal-services/72-communications-concerning-a-lawyers-services-specific-rules/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not compensate, give, or promise anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":null,"confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"},{"id":"referral-nd","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"ND","jurisdictionName":"North Dakota","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee in proportion to the work each does, or if each assumes joint responsibility for the representation by written agreement.","feeRule":"N.D.R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"other","shareDisclosed":false,"cap":null,"consentText":"After consultation, the client must consent in writing to the participation of all the lawyers involved; the rule does not require the client to be told each lawyer's share.","feeConditions":"The lawyers' written agreement must record joint responsibility if the split is not proportional to services; the total fee must be reasonable.","pending":null,"payRule":"N.D.R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(c)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":false,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a not-for-profit lawyer referral service or legal service organization.","payDifferences":"It has no reciprocal-referral exception and no nominal-gift exception, and it has no separate legal-service-plan item (it lists legal service organizations instead).","sources":[{"label":"North Dakota Supreme Court, N.D.R. Prof. Conduct, Rule 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-resources/rules/ndrprofconduct/1-5","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division of fee is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or each lawyer, by written agreement, assumes joint responsibility","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"North Dakota Supreme Court, N.D.R. Prof. Conduct, Rule 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-resources/rules/ndrprofconduct/1-5","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"after consultation, the client consents in writing to the participation of all the lawyers involved;","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"North Dakota Supreme Court, N.D.R. Prof. Conduct, Rule 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-resources/rules/ndrprofconduct/1-5","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"It does not require disclosure to the client of the share that each lawyer is to receive.","supports":"share","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"North Dakota Supreme Court, N.D.R. Prof. Conduct, Rule 7.2 Advertising","url":"https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-resources/rules/ndrprofconduct/7-2","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a not-for-profit lawyer referral service or legal service organization;","supports":"referral service","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"North Dakota Supreme Court, N.D.R. Prof. Conduct, Rule 7.2 Advertising","url":"https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-resources/rules/ndrprofconduct/7-2","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":null,"confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"},{"id":"referral-ne","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"NE","jurisdictionName":"Nebraska","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee if the split matches the work each does, or if each lawyer takes joint responsibility for the representation, and the total fee is reasonable.","feeRule":"Neb. Ct. R. of Prof. Cond. § 3-501.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"confirmed-in-writing","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree to the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the agreement must be confirmed in writing.","feeConditions":null,"pending":null,"payRule":"Neb. Ct. R. of Prof. Cond. § 3-507.2(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service, meaning one approved by an appropriate regulatory authority.","payDifferences":"Matches ABA 7.2(b) except that Nebraska has no exception for nominal thank-you gifts.","sources":[{"label":"Nebraska Judicial Branch, Nebraska Rules of Professional Conduct, § 3-501.5 Fees","url":"https://nebraskajudicial.gov/supreme-court-rules/chapter-3-attorneys-and-practice-law/article-5-nebraska-rules-professional-conduct/%C2%A7%C2%A7-3-5011-3-50118-client-lawyer-relationship/%C2%A7-3-5015-fees","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Nebraska Judicial Branch, Nebraska Rules of Professional Conduct, § 3-501.5 Fees","url":"https://nebraskajudicial.gov/supreme-court-rules/chapter-3-attorneys-and-practice-law/article-5-nebraska-rules-professional-conduct/%C2%A7%C2%A7-3-5011-3-50118-client-lawyer-relationship/%C2%A7-3-5015-fees","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client agrees to the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the agreement is confirmed in writing","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Nebraska Judicial Branch, Nebraska Rules of Professional Conduct, § 3-507.2 Advertising","url":"https://nebraskajudicial.gov/supreme-court-rules/chapter-3-attorneys-and-practice-law/article-5-nebraska-rules-professional-conduct/%C2%A7%C2%A7-3-5071-3-5075-information-about-legal-services/%C2%A7-3-5072-advertising","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service","supports":"referralServiceFees","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Nebraska Judicial Branch, Nebraska Rules of Professional Conduct, § 3-507.2 Advertising","url":"https://nebraskajudicial.gov/supreme-court-rules/chapter-3-attorneys-and-practice-law/article-5-nebraska-rules-professional-conduct/%C2%A7%C2%A7-3-5071-3-5075-information-about-legal-services/%C2%A7-3-5072-advertising","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive, and","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Nebraska Judicial Branch, Nebraska Rules of Professional Conduct, § 3-507.2 Advertising","url":"https://nebraskajudicial.gov/supreme-court-rules/chapter-3-attorneys-and-practice-law/article-5-nebraska-rules-professional-conduct/%C2%A7%C2%A7-3-5071-3-5075-information-about-legal-services/%C2%A7-3-5072-advertising","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay for a law practice in accordance with Rule 1.17; and","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Nebraska nominalGifts=false because the list of exceptions in 3-507.2(b) ends at the reciprocal-referral item (4) with no gift item. The nebraskajudicial.gov and supremecourt.nebraska.gov hosts both serve the rules; the URL fetched was nebraskajudicial.gov. No pending amendment seen.","confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"},{"id":"referral-nh","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"NH","jurisdictionName":"New Hampshire","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee in reasonable proportion to the work, responsibility or risk each takes on, or under an agreement with the referring lawyer.","feeRule":"N.H. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(f)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"other","consent":"written-agreement","shareDisclosed":null,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree to the division in a writing the client signs.","feeConditions":"The division may not increase the total fee, and the total must be reasonable. A split based on an agreement with the referring lawyer is expressly allowed.","pending":null,"payRule":"N.H. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":false,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay a fee charged by an organization the IRS recognizes as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3).","payDifferences":"New Hampshire allows only ad costs, a fee to a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and buying a practice; there is no reciprocal-referral or nominal-gift exception.","sources":[{"label":"New Hampshire Judicial Branch, Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5. Fees","url":"https://www.courts.nh.gov/new-hampshire-rules-professional-conduct/rule-15-fees","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"in reasonable proportion to the services performed or responsibility or risks assumed by each, or b. based on an agreement with the referring lawyer","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"New Hampshire Judicial Branch, Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5. Fees","url":"https://www.courts.nh.gov/new-hampshire-rules-professional-conduct/rule-15-fees","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client agrees in a writing signed by the client to the division of fees","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"New Hampshire Judicial Branch, Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5. Fees","url":"https://www.courts.nh.gov/new-hampshire-rules-professional-conduct/rule-15-fees","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the total fee charged by all lawyers is not increased by the division of fees and is reasonable","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"New Hampshire Judicial Branch, Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2. Advertising","url":"https://www.courts.nh.gov/new-hampshire-rules-professional-conduct/rule-72-advertising","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services except that a lawyer may","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"New Hampshire Judicial Branch, Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2. Advertising","url":"https://www.courts.nh.gov/new-hampshire-rules-professional-conduct/rule-72-advertising","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay a fee charged by an organization that is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as exempt from taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3)","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"New Hampshire Judicial Branch, Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2. Advertising","url":"https://www.courts.nh.gov/new-hampshire-rules-professional-conduct/rule-72-advertising","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"Model Rule (b)(4) is deleted.","supports":"differences","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Read in a browser on courts.nh.gov (scripted downloads return 403; the rule pages loaded normally). shareDisclosed is null: the rule requires the client's signed agreement to the division but does not say each share must be stated. The 'Model Rule (b)(4) is deleted' quote is from the Ethics Committee Comment printed with the rule.","confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"},{"id":"referral-nj","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"NJ","jurisdictionName":"New Jersey","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee if the split matches the work each does, or if each lawyer takes joint responsibility by a written agreement with the client, and the total fee is reasonable.","feeRule":"N.J. RPC 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"consent-no-writing","shareDisclosed":false,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must be notified of the fee division and must consent to the participation of all the lawyers involved; no writing is named for the consent.","feeConditions":"Opens with \"Except as otherwise provided by the Court Rules\". The joint-responsibility route requires a written agreement with the client; the proportion route does not.","pending":null,"payRule":"N.J. RPC 7.2(c)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":false,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a not-for-profit lawyer referral service or other legal service organization.","payDifferences":"New Jersey allows only three exceptions (reasonable ad costs, notice costs for selling a practice, and usual charges of a not-for-profit lawyer referral service or other legal service organization), with no reciprocal-referral or nominal-gift exception.","sources":[{"label":"New Jersey Courts, Rules of Court database, RPC 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.njcourts.gov/njcourts_rules_of_court/get-term?tid=25806","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer, or, by written agreement with the client,","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"New Jersey Courts, Rules of Court database, RPC 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.njcourts.gov/njcourts_rules_of_court/get-term?tid=25806","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"New Jersey Courts, Rules of Court database, RPC 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.njcourts.gov/njcourts_rules_of_court/get-term?tid=25806","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client is notified of the fee division","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"New Jersey Courts, Rules of Court database, RPC 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.njcourts.gov/njcourts_rules_of_court/get-term?tid=25806","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client consents to the participation of all the lawyers involved","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"New Jersey Courts, Rules of Court database, RPC 7.2 Communications Concerning a Lawyer's Services","url":"https://www.njcourts.gov/njcourts_rules_of_court/get-term?tid=26021","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"a lawyer may pay the usual charges of a not-for-profit lawyer referral service or other legal service organization","supports":"referralServiceFees","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"New Jersey Courts, Rules of Court database, RPC 7.2 Communications Concerning a Lawyer's Services","url":"https://www.njcourts.gov/njcourts_rules_of_court/get-term?tid=26021","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services, except that:","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"New Jersey Courts, Rules of Court database, RPC 7.2 Communications Concerning a Lawyer's Services","url":"https://www.njcourts.gov/njcourts_rules_of_court/get-term?tid=26021","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"a lawyer may pay the reasonable cost of advertising or written communication permitted by this Rule","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"njcourts.gov returned an Incapsula challenge page for the leads-file URL with a plain curl user agent; with a standard browser user agent the same Rules of Court database endpoints returned the rule text as JSON, so no challenge was bypassed. The JSON carries no rule titles or paragraph letters (they are inferred from the list order and the history note: 1.5(e) is the division paragraph, 7.2(c) the third paragraph). RPC 1.5 history note: paragraph (b) amended March 6, 2025; RPC 7.2 note: last amended 2021. The 1.5 tid (25806) was found by probing sequential ids on the same database.","confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"},{"id":"referral-nm","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"NM","jurisdictionName":"New Mexico","status":"U","text":"Not verified: we could not read New Mexico's official fee-division rule on 2026-10-28, so the fee-division cells are left blank.","feeRule":"N.M. R.A. 16-105(F)","feeStatus":"U","basis":null,"consent":null,"shareDisclosed":null,"cap":null,"consentText":null,"feeConditions":null,"pending":null,"payRule":"N.M. R.A. 16-702(B)","payStatus":"U","reciprocalReferrals":null,"nominalGifts":null,"referralServices":null,"payDifferences":null,"sources":[{"label":"New Mexico Compilation Commission, NMRA Rule Set 16 Rules of Professional Conduct (NMOneSource), Rule 16-105 Fees","url":"https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmra/en/5699/1/document.do","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-28","quote":null,"supports":"not-read","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"New Mexico Compilation Commission, NMRA Rule Set 16 Rules of Professional Conduct (NMOneSource), Rule 16-702 Communications Concerning a Lawyer's Services: Specific Rules","url":"https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmra/en/5699/1/document.do","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-28","quote":null,"supports":"not-read","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-28","note":"Not verified (2026-10-28): New Mexico's rules are published only on nmonesource.com, which refuses plain scripts and shows a human-verification (CAPTCHA) page in a normal browser. The 2026-10-27 read got the text by sending a browser user agent to get past that block, which our method does not allow, so the values from it were withdrawn. Restore after a read in a normal browser session that passes no challenge, or from another official copy.","confidence":"low","confidenceBasis":"open question or withheld (U)"},{"id":"referral-nv","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"NV","jurisdictionName":"Nevada","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee if the client agrees to the arrangement in a confirmed writing and the total fee is reasonable; Nevada lists no proportion or joint-responsibility test because paragraph (e)(1) is reserved.","feeRule":"Nev. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"no-proportion-test","consent":"confirmed-in-writing","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree to the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the agreement must be confirmed in writing.","feeConditions":"Rule 1.5(e)(1), where the ABA places the proportion-or-joint-responsibility test, is marked \"Reserved\".","pending":null,"payRule":"Nev. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(a)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":false,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a lawyer referral service or other legal service organization, and may pay the reasonable cost of advertising.","payDifferences":"Nevada allows a fee division under Rule 1.5(e) and the exceptions for ad costs and referral-service charges, but has no exception for reciprocal referral agreements, nominal gifts or buying a practice, and does not require the referral service to be not-for-profit or qualified.","sources":[{"label":"Nevada Legislature court-rules site, Nevada Rules of Professional Conduct (adopted by the Supreme Court of Nevada), Rule 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.leg.state.nv.us/CourtRules/RPC.html","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A division of a fee between lawyers who are not in the same firm may be made only if:","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Nevada Legislature court-rules site, Nevada Rules of Professional Conduct (adopted by the Supreme Court of Nevada), Rule 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.leg.state.nv.us/CourtRules/RPC.html","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(1) Reserved;","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Nevada Legislature court-rules site, Nevada Rules of Professional Conduct (adopted by the Supreme Court of Nevada), Rule 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.leg.state.nv.us/CourtRules/RPC.html","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"The client agrees to the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the agreement is confirmed in writing","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Nevada Legislature court-rules site, Nevada Rules of Professional Conduct (adopted by the Supreme Court of Nevada), Rule 7.2 Advertising","url":"https://www.leg.state.nv.us/CourtRules/RPC.html","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"may pay the usual charges of a lawyer referral service or other legal service organization","supports":"referralServiceFees","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Nevada Legislature court-rules site, Nevada Rules of Professional Conduct (adopted by the Supreme Court of Nevada), Rule 7.2 Advertising","url":"https://www.leg.state.nv.us/CourtRules/RPC.html","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"Except as allowed under Rule 1.5(e), a lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Nevada Legislature court-rules site, Nevada Rules of Professional Conduct (adopted by the Supreme Court of Nevada), Rule 7.2 Advertising","url":"https://www.leg.state.nv.us/CourtRules/RPC.html","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"may pay the reasonable cost of advertising or written or recorded communication permitted by these Rules","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Read from the Nevada Legislature's codified copy of the court rules (header: amendments through October 31, 2025, rev. 4/15/2026). The leads file pointed to Rule 7.2A for the referral clause, but in this copy the referral-payment ban is Rule 7.2(a); 7.2A is the advertising filing rule. The page text drops apostrophes, so no quote contains one. No pending amendment seen.","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-ny","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"NY","jurisdictionName":"New York","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee if the split matches the work each does, or if each lawyer takes joint responsibility by a writing given to the client, and the total fee is not excessive.","feeRule":"N.Y. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(g)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"confirmed-in-writing","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree to hiring the other lawyer after full disclosure that the fee will be divided, including each lawyer's share, and the agreement must be confirmed in writing.","feeConditions":"The joint-responsibility route requires a writing given to the client; the fee test is \"not excessive\" rather than \"reasonable\". Rule 1.5(h) exempts payments to a lawyer formerly associated in the firm under a separation or retirement agreement.","pending":null,"payRule":"N.Y. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(a)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":false,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual and reasonable fees or dues of a qualified legal assistance organization, and may pay referral fees to another lawyer as permitted by Rule 1.5(g).","payDifferences":"New York's text has only two exceptions (a nonlegal-professional contract under Rule 5.8, and qualified legal assistance organization fees or lawyer referral fees under Rule 1.5(g)) and no listed exception for reciprocal referral agreements or nominal gifts.","sources":[{"label":"New York State Bar Association, New York Rules of Professional Conduct (22 NYCRR Part 1200), as amended through July 2026, Rule 1.5","url":"https://nysba.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/NYSBA-NY-Rules-of-Professional-Conduct-August-10-2026.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or, by a writing given to the client,","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"New York State Bar Association, New York Rules of Professional Conduct (22 NYCRR Part 1200), as amended through July 2026, Rule 1.5","url":"https://nysba.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/NYSBA-NY-Rules-of-Professional-Conduct-August-10-2026.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"New York State Bar Association, New York Rules of Professional Conduct (22 NYCRR Part 1200), as amended through July 2026, Rule 1.5","url":"https://nysba.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/NYSBA-NY-Rules-of-Professional-Conduct-August-10-2026.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client agrees to employment of the other lawyer after a full disclosure that a division of fees will be made","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"New York State Bar Association, New York Rules of Professional Conduct (22 NYCRR Part 1200), as amended through July 2026, Rule 1.5","url":"https://nysba.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/NYSBA-NY-Rules-of-Professional-Conduct-August-10-2026.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"including the share each lawyer will receive, and the client's agreement is confirmed in writing","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"New York State Bar Association, New York Rules of Professional Conduct (22 NYCRR Part 1200), as amended through July 2026, Rule 7.2","url":"https://nysba.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/NYSBA-NY-Rules-of-Professional-Conduct-August-10-2026.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"a lawyer may pay the usual and reasonable fees or dues charged by a qualified legal assistance organization","supports":"referralServiceFees","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"New York State Bar Association, New York Rules of Professional Conduct (22 NYCRR Part 1200), as amended through July 2026, Rule 7.2","url":"https://nysba.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/NYSBA-NY-Rules-of-Professional-Conduct-August-10-2026.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not compensate or give anything of value to a person or organization to recommend or obtain employment by a client","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"New York State Bar Association, New York Rules of Professional Conduct (22 NYCRR Part 1200), as amended through July 2026, Rule 7.2","url":"https://nysba.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/NYSBA-NY-Rules-of-Professional-Conduct-August-10-2026.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"referral fees to another lawyer as permitted by Rule 1.5(g)","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Read from the NYSBA copy (title page: as amended through July 2026; file dated August 10, 2026) as the leads file suggested; the PDF text was extracted with macOS PDFKit and line-break hyphens were rejoined before quote checks. The 7.2(a) text itself has no reciprocal-referral exception, but Comment [4] to Rule 7.2 says a lawyer does not violate paragraph (a) by a non-exclusive reciprocal referral agreement where the client is informed, so practice may be more permissive than the rule text; reciprocalAgreements is recorded false because the rule text has no exception. Not cross-checked against nycourts.gov. The Appellate Division order of May 27, 2026 in the leads file was not read.","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-oh","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"OH","jurisdictionName":"Ohio","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee in proportion to the work each does, or if each takes joint responsibility and agrees to be available to consult with the client.","feeRule":"Ohio Prof.Cond.R. 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"written-agreement","shareDisclosed":false,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must give written consent after full disclosure of each lawyer's identity, that the fee will be divided, and that the split follows the services performed or joint responsibility; the rule does not require telling the client each lawyer's share.","feeConditions":"In a contingent-fee case a closing statement signed by the client and each lawyer is required (unless a court approves the division); the total fee must be reasonable.","pending":null,"payRule":"Ohio Prof.Cond.R. 7.2(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":false,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan, and of a nonprofit or lawyer referral service that complies with Rule XVI of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio.","payDifferences":"It has no reciprocal-referral exception and no nominal-gift exception, and it ties the referral-service exception to Gov.Bar Rule XVI.","sources":[{"label":"Supreme Court of Ohio, Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct (as amended effective Jan. 1, 2026), Rule 1.5","url":"https://sc.ohio.gov/docs/LegalResources/Rules/ProfConduct/profConductRules.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation and agrees to be available for consultation with the client;","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Ohio, Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct (as amended effective Jan. 1, 2026), Rule 1.5","url":"https://sc.ohio.gov/docs/LegalResources/Rules/ProfConduct/profConductRules.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client has given written consent after full disclosure of the identity of each lawyer, that the fees will be divided,","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Ohio, Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct (as amended effective Jan. 1, 2026), Rule 1.5","url":"https://sc.ohio.gov/docs/LegalResources/Rules/ProfConduct/profConductRules.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the written closing statement in a case involving a contingent fee shall be signed by the client and each lawyer","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Ohio, Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct (as amended effective Jan. 1, 2026), Rule 7.2","url":"https://sc.ohio.gov/docs/LegalResources/Rules/ProfConduct/profConductRules.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the usual charges for a nonprofit or lawyer referral service that complies with Rule XVI of the Supreme Court Rules","supports":"referral service","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Supreme Court of Ohio, Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct (as amended effective Jan. 1, 2026), Rule 7.2","url":"https://sc.ohio.gov/docs/LegalResources/Rules/ProfConduct/profConductRules.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services except that a lawyer may pay","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":null,"confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-ok","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"OK","jurisdictionName":"Oklahoma","status":"U","text":"Not verified: we could not read Oklahoma's official fee-division rule on 2026-10-27, so the fee-division cells are left blank.","feeRule":"Okla. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e) (5 O.S. ch. 1, app. 3-A)","feeStatus":"U","basis":null,"consent":null,"shareDisclosed":null,"cap":null,"consentText":null,"feeConditions":null,"pending":null,"payRule":"Okla. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(b) (5 O.S. ch. 1, app. 3-A)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service (one approved by an appropriate regulatory authority).","payDifferences":"It adds the words 'directly or indirectly' to the ban and has the reciprocal-referral exception, but has no nominal-gift exception.","sources":[{"label":"Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN), Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=481047","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":null,"supports":"not-read","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN), Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2 Advertising","url":"https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=481047","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive, and","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN), Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2 Advertising","url":"https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=481047","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client is informed of the existence and nature of the agreement.","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN), Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2 Advertising","url":"https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=481047","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service.","supports":"referral service","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN), Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2 Advertising","url":"https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=481047","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not give anything of value, directly or indirectly, to a person for recommending the lawyer's services","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Rule 1.5(e) not read: after I fetched Rule 7.2 from OSCN, OSCN (the Oklahoma Supreme Court's official rules host) began returning a Cloudflare Turnstile bot challenge, which I did not bypass; I could not locate Rule 1.5 on okbar.org or another official host. Rule 7.2 was read from OSCN (CiteID=481047) before the challenge. Third-party copies (courtrules.net) were not used as a source.","confidence":"low","confidenceBasis":"open question or withheld (U)"},{"id":"referral-or","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"OR","jurisdictionName":"Oregon","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee without any proportion or joint-responsibility test; a proportion test applies only when the split is between a lawyer and a licensed paralegal (LP).","feeRule":"Or. RPC 1.5(d)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"no-proportion-test","consent":"consent-no-writing","shareDisclosed":false,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must give informed consent to the fact that there will be a division of fees; no writing and no disclosure of each lawyer's share is required.","feeConditions":"The total fee for all services must not be clearly excessive (not 'reasonable' as in the ABA rule); between a lawyer and an LP the division must be in proportion to services performed.","pending":null,"payRule":"Or. RPC 7.2(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":false,"nominalGifts":true,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a lawyer referral service (the 'not-for-profit' limit was removed in 2017).","payDifferences":"It has no reciprocal-referral exception, and the referral-service exception does not say 'not-for-profit or qualified'.","sources":[{"label":"Oregon State Bar, Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct (as effective Sept. 3, 2026), Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.osbar.org/_docs/rulesregs/orpc.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer and LP.","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Oregon State Bar, Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct (as effective Sept. 3, 2026), Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.osbar.org/_docs/rulesregs/orpc.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client gives informed consent to the fact that there will be a division of fees;","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Oregon State Bar, Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct (as effective Sept. 3, 2026), Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.osbar.org/_docs/rulesregs/orpc.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the total fee of the lawyers and LPs for all legal services they rendered the client is not clearly excessive;","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Oregon State Bar, Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct (as effective Sept. 3, 2026), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.osbar.org/_docs/rulesregs/orpc.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a lawyer referral service;","supports":"referral service","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Oregon State Bar, Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct (as effective Sept. 3, 2026), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.osbar.org/_docs/rulesregs/orpc.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"give nominal gifts as an expression of appreciation that are neither intended nor reasonably expected to be a form of compensation","supports":"gifts","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Oregon State Bar, Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct (as effective Sept. 3, 2026), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.osbar.org/_docs/rulesregs/orpc.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services except that a lawyer may","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Oregon's division-of-fee rule is Rule 1.5(d) (not (e)). The PDF is the Oregon State Bar's copy of the rules 'as effective September 3, 2026', which includes amendments effective Jan. 1, 2026 that added licensed paralegals (LPs). Rule 1.5(d)(2) uses 'not clearly excessive', and 'Informed Consent' is a defined term in Rule 1.0.","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-pa","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"PA","jurisdictionName":"Pennsylvania","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee with no proportion or joint-responsibility test, as long as the client is advised of the participation of all the lawyers and the total fee is not illegal or clearly excessive.","feeRule":"204 Pa. Code 81.4, Pa.R.P.C. 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"no-proportion-test","consent":"consent-no-writing","shareDisclosed":false,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must be advised of the participation of all the lawyers and not object; the rule requires no writing and no consent in the affirmative.","feeConditions":"The total fee of the lawyers must not be illegal or clearly excessive.","pending":null,"payRule":"Pa.R.P.C. 7.2(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":false,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a lawyer referral service or legal service plan (the text does not say 'not-for-profit').","payDifferences":"It has no reciprocal-referral exception and no nominal-gift exception, and does not limit referral services to not-for-profit or qualified ones.","sources":[{"label":"Pennsylvania Code (pacodeandbulletin.gov), Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=%2Fsecure%2Fpacode%2Fdata%2F204%2Fchapter81%2Fs1.5.html","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client is advised of and does not object to the participation of all the lawyers involved, and","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Pennsylvania Code (pacodeandbulletin.gov), Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=%2Fsecure%2Fpacode%2Fdata%2F204%2Fchapter81%2Fs1.5.html","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client is advised of and does not object to the participation of all the lawyers involved, and","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Pennsylvania Code (pacodeandbulletin.gov), Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=%2Fsecure%2Fpacode%2Fdata%2F204%2Fchapter81%2Fs1.5.html","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"It does not require disclosure to the client of the share that each lawyer is to receive.","supports":"share","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Pennsylvania Code (pacodeandbulletin.gov), Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=%2Fsecure%2Fpacode%2Fdata%2F204%2Fchapter81%2Fs1.5.html","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the total fee of the lawyers is not illegal or clearly excessive for all legal services they rendered the client.","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Pennsylvania Code (pacodeandbulletin.gov), Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=%2Fsecure%2Fpacode%2Fdata%2F204%2Fchapter81%2Fs7.2.html","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a lawyer referral service or legal service plan; and","supports":"referral service","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Pennsylvania Code (pacodeandbulletin.gov), Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=%2Fsecure%2Fpacode%2Fdata%2F204%2Fchapter81%2Fs7.2.html","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not compensate, give or promise anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services except that a lawyer may:","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Pennsylvania's text of 1.5(e) differs from the ABA rule: no proportion/joint test, client must be advised and not object, no writing. Pa. Code page current through 56 Pa.B. 5370 (Aug. 8, 2026).","confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"},{"id":"referral-ri","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"RI","jurisdictionName":"Rhode Island","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee in proportion to the work each does, or if each takes joint responsibility for the representation.","feeRule":"R.I. Sup. Ct. Rules Art. V, RPC 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"confirmed-in-writing","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree to the arrangement, including each lawyer's share, and the agreement must be confirmed in writing.","feeConditions":"The total fee must be reasonable.","pending":null,"payRule":"R.I. Sup. Ct. Rules Art. V, RPC 7.2(c)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit lawyer referral service.","payDifferences":"The ban is in paragraph (c), not (b); it has the reciprocal-referral exception but no nominal-gift exception.","sources":[{"label":"Rhode Island Supreme Court, Rules of Professional Conduct (Art. V, revised October 2023), Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.courts.ri.gov/Courts/SupremeCourt/Documents/Supreme-Rules-Article5.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation;","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Rhode Island Supreme Court, Rules of Professional Conduct (Art. V, revised October 2023), Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.courts.ri.gov/Courts/SupremeCourt/Documents/Supreme-Rules-Article5.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client agrees to the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the agreement is confirmed in writing; and","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Rhode Island Supreme Court, Rules of Professional Conduct (Art. V, revised October 2023), Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.courts.ri.gov/Courts/SupremeCourt/Documents/Supreme-Rules-Article5.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the total fee is reasonable.","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Rhode Island Supreme Court, Rules of Professional Conduct (Art. V, revised October 2023), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.courts.ri.gov/Courts/SupremeCourt/Documents/Supreme-Rules-Article5.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive, and","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Rhode Island Supreme Court, Rules of Professional Conduct (Art. V, revised October 2023), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.courts.ri.gov/Courts/SupremeCourt/Documents/Supreme-Rules-Article5.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client is informed of the existence and nature of the agreement.","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Rhode Island Supreme Court, Rules of Professional Conduct (Art. V, revised October 2023), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.courts.ri.gov/Courts/SupremeCourt/Documents/Supreme-Rules-Article5.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for -profit lawyer referral service;","supports":"referral service","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Rhode Island Supreme Court, Rules of Professional Conduct (Art. V, revised October 2023), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.courts.ri.gov/Courts/SupremeCourt/Documents/Supreme-Rules-Article5.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services except that a lawyer may","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Rhode Island's referral-payment rule sits in 7.2(c); 7.2(b) is a filing requirement for advertisements. The PDF text has a stray space in 'not-for -profit' (quote copied as extracted).","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-sc","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"SC","jurisdictionName":"South Carolina","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee in proportion to the work each does, or if each takes joint responsibility for the representation.","feeRule":"S.C. App. Ct. R. 407, RPC 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"confirmed-in-writing","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree to the arrangement, including each lawyer's share, and the agreement must be confirmed in writing.","feeConditions":"The total fee must be reasonable.","pending":null,"payRule":"S.C. App. Ct. R. 407, RPC 7.2(c)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":false,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit lawyer referral service that is itself not violating any Rule of Professional Conduct.","payDifferences":"The ban is in paragraph (c), has no reciprocal-referral or nominal-gift exception, and adds a condition that the referral service not itself violate the rules; paragraph (e) separately restricts paying for another firm's advertisement.","sources":[{"label":"South Carolina Judicial Branch, Rule 407, SCACR, Rule 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-407/rule-15/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation;","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"South Carolina Judicial Branch, Rule 407, SCACR, Rule 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-407/rule-15/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client agrees to the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the agreement is confirmed in writing; and","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"South Carolina Judicial Branch, Rule 407, SCACR, Rule 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-407/rule-15/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the total fee is reasonable.","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"South Carolina Judicial Branch, Rule 407, SCACR, Rule 7.2 Advertising","url":"https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-407/rule-72/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit lawyer referral service, which is itself not acting in violation of any Rule","supports":"referral service","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"South Carolina Judicial Branch, Rule 407, SCACR, Rule 7.2 Advertising","url":"https://www.sccourts.org/resources/judicial-community/court-rules/appellate/rule-407/rule-72/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services except that a lawyer may","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"SC rule 7.2 last amended by Order dated August 10, 2016 per the court page.","confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"},{"id":"referral-sd","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"SD","jurisdictionName":"South Dakota","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee if the split matches the work each does, or if each lawyer takes joint responsibility for the case, and the total fee is reasonable.","feeRule":"S.D. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e) (SDCL ch. 16-18, App. A)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"confirmed-in-writing","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree to the arrangement, including each lawyer's share, and the agreement must be confirmed in writing.","feeConditions":null,"pending":null,"payRule":"S.D. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(d)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a not-for-profit legal service organization and of a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) lawyer referral service approved by an appropriate regulatory authority.","payDifferences":"The paragraph is 7.2(d), has no nominal-gift exception, limits referral services to approved 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofits, and cross-refers to Rule 7.1(c)(13), which allows a paid testimonial if the ad conspicuously discloses the payment.","sources":[{"label":"South Dakota Legislature, SDCL ch. 16-18 Appendix A, South Dakota Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/16-18-A.html","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"South Dakota Legislature, SDCL ch. 16-18 Appendix A, South Dakota Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/16-18-A.html","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client agrees to the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the agreement is confirmed in writing","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"South Dakota Legislature, SDCL ch. 16-18 Appendix A, South Dakota Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/16-18-A.html","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(3) the total fee is reasonable.","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"South Dakota Legislature, SDCL ch. 16-18 Appendix A, South Dakota Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2(d) Prohibited Payments","url":"https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/16-18-A.html","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"a lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"South Dakota Legislature, SDCL ch. 16-18 Appendix A, South Dakota Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2(d) Prohibited Payments","url":"https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/16-18-A.html","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(i) The reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive, and (ii) The client is informed of the existence and nature of the agreement.","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"South Dakota Legislature, SDCL ch. 16-18 Appendix A, South Dakota Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2(d) Prohibited Payments","url":"https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/16-18-A.html","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(3) Pay for a law practice in accordance with Rule 1.17; and (4) Refer clients to another lawyer or a nonlawyer professional","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"South Dakota Legislature, SDCL ch. 16-18 Appendix A, South Dakota Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2(d) Prohibited Payments","url":"https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/16-18-A.html","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(2) Pay the usual charges of a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) qualified lawyer referral service.","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"South Dakota Legislature, SDCL ch. 16-18 Appendix A, South Dakota Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2(d) Prohibited Payments","url":"https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/16-18-A.html","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"may pay the usual charges of a not-for-profit legal service organization","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"South Dakota Legislature, SDCL ch. 16-18 Appendix A, South Dakota Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2(d) Prohibited Payments","url":"https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/16-18-A.html","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"unless the communication conspicuously discloses that the lawyer has given or exchanged something of value","supports":"differences","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Both blocks read from the South Dakota Legislature's codified copy of the Rules (SDCL 16-18-A) fetched 2026-10-27; the page shows no currency date. The nominal-gift value is false because 7.2(d) lists only exceptions (1) to (4).","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-tn","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"TN","jurisdictionName":"Tennessee","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee if the split matches the work each does, or if each lawyer takes joint responsibility for the case, and the total fee is reasonable.","feeRule":"Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 8, RPC 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"confirmed-in-writing","shareDisclosed":false,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree to the arrangement and the agreement must be confirmed in writing; the rule does not say the client must be told each lawyer's share.","feeConditions":null,"pending":null,"payRule":"Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 8, RPC 7.3(f)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of an intermediary organization as permitted by RPC 7.6, and may pay for online group advertising.","payDifferences":"The ban sits in RPC 7.3(f), not 7.2 (RPC 7.2 is deleted and reserved), has no nominal-gift exception, allows sponsorship fees and charitable contributions that buy publicity, and comment [10] allows lead-generator payments only if the generator does not recommend the lawyer.","sources":[{"label":"Tennessee Courts (legacy site old.tncourts.gov), Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 8, Rules of Professional Conduct, RPC 1.5","url":"https://old.tncourts.gov/rules/supreme-court/8","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Tennessee Courts (legacy site old.tncourts.gov), Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 8, Rules of Professional Conduct, RPC 1.5","url":"https://old.tncourts.gov/rules/supreme-court/8","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client agrees to the arrangement, and the agreement is confirmed in writing","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Tennessee Courts (legacy site old.tncourts.gov), Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 8, Rules of Professional Conduct, RPC 1.5","url":"https://old.tncourts.gov/rules/supreme-court/8","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(3) the total fee is reasonable.","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Tennessee Courts (legacy site old.tncourts.gov), Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 8, RPC 7.3(f) Paying Others to Recommend a Lawyer","url":"https://old.tncourts.gov/rules/supreme-court/8","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"shall not compensate, give, or promise anything of value to a person who is not an employee or lawyer in the same law firm","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Tennessee Courts (legacy site old.tncourts.gov), Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 8, RPC 7.3(f) Paying Others to Recommend a Lawyer","url":"https://old.tncourts.gov/rules/supreme-court/8","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(i) the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive; and (ii) the client is informed of the existence and nature of the agreement","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Tennessee Courts (legacy site old.tncourts.gov), Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 8, RPC 7.3(f) Paying Others to Recommend a Lawyer","url":"https://old.tncourts.gov/rules/supreme-court/8","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"as a lawyer; and (5) refer clients to another lawyer or a nonlawyer professional","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Tennessee Courts (legacy site old.tncourts.gov), Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 8, RPC 7.3(f) Paying Others to Recommend a Lawyer","url":"https://old.tncourts.gov/rules/supreme-court/8","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(2) pay the usual charges of a intermediary organization as permitted by RPC 7.6","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Tennessee Courts (legacy site old.tncourts.gov), Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 8, RPC 7.3(f) Paying Others to Recommend a Lawyer","url":"https://old.tncourts.gov/rules/supreme-court/8","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"RULE 7.2 [Delete and Reserved]","supports":"differences","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Tennessee Courts (legacy site old.tncourts.gov), Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 8, RPC 7.3(f) Paying Others to Recommend a Lawyer","url":"https://old.tncourts.gov/rules/supreme-court/8","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"a lawyer may pay others for generating client leads, such as Internet-based client leads, as long as the lead generator does not recommend the lawyer","supports":"differences","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Read at old.tncourts.gov (the court's legacy site) because www.tncourts.gov and tbpr.org serve a bot-validation page or 403 to scripts; I did not bypass either. The same 7.3(f) text also appears in the Court's order ADM2020-01505, Appendix A/B, hosted at docs.tbpr.org (read 2026-10-27), which adopted it in 2021. The legacy page's current-through date is not shown. Lawyer-referral payments are in RPC 7.3(f) because RPC 7.2 was deleted. The leads' RPC 7.1(c) cite is the old 7.2(c) text struck in Appendix A.","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-tx","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"TX","jurisdictionName":"Texas","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee if the split matches the work each does, or if the lawyers assume joint responsibility for the case, and the total fee is not unconscionable or illegal.","feeRule":"Tex. Disciplinary R. Prof'l Conduct 1.04(f) and (g)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"written-agreement","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must consent in writing, before the association or referral, to the terms of the split, including who shares the fee, which basis is used and each firm's share (or how the split will be made).","feeConditions":"Timing: consent must come before the association or referral. Under 1.04(g), if the arrangement is not confirmed this way, the lawyer may collect only the reasonable value of services and the necessary expenses.","pending":null,"payRule":"Tex. Disciplinary R. Prof'l Conduct 7.03(e)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":true,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay reasonable fees for advertising and public relations services and the usual charges of a lawyer referral service that meets the requirements of Texas law.","payDifferences":"Rule 7.03(e) bars payments to a person not licensed to practice law for soliciting or referring clients (payments between lawyers fall under 1.04(f)); the reciprocal exception also requires the lawyer to use independent judgment in making referrals.","sources":[{"label":"State Bar of Texas, Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct (Effective October 1, 2024), Rule 1.04","url":"https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&ContentID=65835&Template=%2FCM%2FContentDisplay.cfm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(i) in proportion to the professional services performed by each lawyer; or (ii) made between lawyers who assume joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"State Bar of Texas, Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct (Effective October 1, 2024), Rule 1.04","url":"https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&ContentID=65835&Template=%2FCM%2FContentDisplay.cfm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client consents in writing to the terms of the arrangement prior to the time of the association or referral proposed","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"State Bar of Texas, Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct (Effective October 1, 2024), Rule 1.04","url":"https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&ContentID=65835&Template=%2FCM%2FContentDisplay.cfm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(iii) the share of the fee that each lawyer or law firm will receive or, if the division is based on the proportion of services","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"State Bar of Texas, Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct (Effective October 1, 2024), Rule 1.04","url":"https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&ContentID=65835&Template=%2FCM%2FContentDisplay.cfm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"No attorney shall collect or seek to collect fees or expenses in connection with any such agreement that is not confirmed in that way","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"State Bar of Texas, Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct (Effective October 1, 2024), Rule 7.03(e)","url":"https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&ContentID=65835&Template=%2FCM%2FContentDisplay.cfm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"shall not pay, give, or offer to pay or give anything of value to a person not licensed to practice law","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"State Bar of Texas, Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct (Effective October 1, 2024), Rule 7.03(e)","url":"https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&ContentID=65835&Template=%2FCM%2FContentDisplay.cfm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"except nominal gifts given as an expression of appreciation that are neither intended nor reasonably expected to be a form of compensation","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"State Bar of Texas, Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct (Effective October 1, 2024), Rule 7.03(e)","url":"https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&ContentID=65835&Template=%2FCM%2FContentDisplay.cfm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(i) the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"State Bar of Texas, Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct (Effective October 1, 2024), Rule 7.03(e)","url":"https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&ContentID=65835&Template=%2FCM%2FContentDisplay.cfm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(ii) clients are informed of the existence and nature of the agreement; and (iii) the lawyer exercises independent professional judgment in making referrals","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"State Bar of Texas, Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct (Effective October 1, 2024), Rule 7.03(e)","url":"https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&ContentID=65835&Template=%2FCM%2FContentDisplay.cfm","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the usual charges of a lawyer referral service that meets the requirements of Texas law","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Read the State Bar of Texas posting of the rules effective Oct 1, 2024 (consolidated after the Supreme Court of Texas's Aug 27, 2024 approval; Misc. Docket 24-9054 does not touch Rules 1.04 or 7.03 per a search summary, which I did not read in full). I also read the Jan 31, 2022 consolidation and the 2023 Part VII copy; 1.04(f)-(g) and 7.03(e) text matches in those. The PDF text has stray spaces inside some words (extraction artifact); quotes were chosen from clean passages. The Texas Supreme Court's own site was not consulted.","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-ut","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"UT","jurisdictionName":"Utah","status":"P","text":"On the date we read it, Utah's Rule 1.5 had no paragraph on splitting a fee between lawyers in different firms (Utah's paragraph (e) is about licensed paralegal practitioners).","feeRule":"Utah R. Prof. Conduct 1.5 (no inter-firm fee-division paragraph in force on 2026-10-27); new Rule 5.8 effective 2026-11-01","feeStatus":"P","basis":null,"consent":null,"shareDisclosed":null,"cap":null,"consentText":null,"feeConditions":"New Rule 5.8 takes effect on November 1, 2026: lawyers may share a fee only if the client agrees to the arrangement, including each lawyer's share, confirmed in writing, and the sharing does not raise the total fee.","pending":{"citation":"Utah R. Prof. Conduct 5.8","effective":"2026-11-01","url":"https://legacy.utcourts.gov/utc/rules-approved/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/10/RPC-Rule-5.8-CLEAN-11.01.2026.pdf"},"payRule":"Utah R. Prof. Conduct 7.2 (reserved); Rule 5.4(b)-(c) and cmt. [3]","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":null,"nominalGifts":null,"referralServices":"Rule 5.4's comment says lawyers may pay for client referrals under paragraph (c).","payDifferences":"Utah's Rule 7.2 is reserved, so no ABA-style list of permitted payments is in force; Rule 5.4's comment says paragraph (c) lets lawyers pay for client referrals.","sources":[{"label":"Utah Courts, Supreme Court Rules of Professional Practice, Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 (eff. 5/1/2021) and, as adopted, Rule 5.8 (eff. 11/1/2026)","url":"https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=scrp&rule=3-1.05","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(e) A licensed paralegal practitioner may not enter into a contingent fee agreement with a client.","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Utah Courts, Supreme Court Rules of Professional Practice, Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 (eff. 5/1/2021) and, as adopted, Rule 5.8 (eff. 11/1/2026)","url":"https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=scrp&rule=3-1.05","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"[8] This rule differs from the ABA model rule.","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Utah Courts, Supreme Court Rules of Professional Practice, Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 (eff. 5/1/2021) and, as adopted, Rule 5.8 (eff. 11/1/2026)","url":"https://legacy.utcourts.gov/utc/rules-approved/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/10/RPC-Rule-5.8-CLEAN-11.01.2026.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(3) the client agrees to the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the agreement is confirmed in writing.","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Utah Courts, Supreme Court Rules of Professional Practice, Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 (eff. 5/1/2021) and, as adopted, Rule 5.8 (eff. 11/1/2026)","url":"https://legacy.utcourts.gov/utc/rules-approved/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/10/RPC-Rule-5.8-CLEAN-11.01.2026.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(2) the fee sharing does not result in an increase of the total legal fee","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Utah Courts, Supreme Court Rules of Professional Practice, Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 (eff. 5/1/2021) and, as adopted, Rule 5.8 (eff. 11/1/2026)","url":"https://legacy.utcourts.gov/utc/rules-approved/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/10/RPC-Rules-1.0-1.4-1.5-5.4-new-rule-5.8-and-8.4-effective-11-1-26-signed.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"are adopted and promulgated effective November 1, 2026","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Utah Courts, Supreme Court Rules of Professional Practice, Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules 7.2 and 5.4 (eff. 5/1/2021)","url":"https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=scrp&rule=3-7.2","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"This Rule number is reserved.","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Utah Courts, Supreme Court Rules of Professional Practice, Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules 7.2 and 5.4 (eff. 5/1/2021)","url":"https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=scrp&rule=3-5.4","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"Paragraph (c) permits individual lawyers or law firms to pay for client referrals, share fees with nonlawyers, or allow third party retention.","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Utah Courts, Supreme Court Rules of Professional Practice, Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules 7.2 and 5.4 (eff. 5/1/2021)","url":"https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=scrp&rule=3-5.4","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(b)A lawyer may permit a person to recommend, retain, or pay the lawyer to render legal services for another.","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Rule 7.2 on the Utah Courts site is a reserved stub. The Utah Supreme Court's order dated July 31, 2026 adopts new Rule 5.8 and amends Rules 1.0, 1.4, 1.5, 5.4 and 8.4, effective November 1, 2026, five days after we read the rules; this record describes the rules in force on October 27, 2026 and flags 5.8. Draft wording of the amended Rule 5.4 was not used. We will re-read Rule 5.4 and Rule 5.8 after they take effect.","confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"},{"id":"referral-va","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"VA","jurisdictionName":"Virginia","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee if the client is told of and agrees to all the lawyers and to the terms of the split and the total fee is reasonable; there is no work-proportion or joint-responsibility test.","feeRule":"Va. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e)-(f)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"no-proportion-test","consent":"consent-no-writing","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must consent to all the lawyers and to the disclosed terms of the division, with consent obtained in advance of the legal services, preferably in writing; a writing is not required.","feeConditions":"Consent must be obtained before the legal services are rendered. Paragraph (f) says (e) does not regulate fee divisions between lawyers previously in the same firm or between successive lawyers on the same matter (the total fee must still be reasonable).","pending":null,"payRule":"Va. R. Prof. Conduct 7.3(d)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":false,"nominalGifts":true,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit qualified lawyer referral service.","payDifferences":"The ban sits in Rule 7.3(d), and the list of exceptions has no reciprocal-referral-agreement exception; it keeps the nominal-gift exception.","sources":[{"label":"Virginia State Bar, Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct (Part Six, Section II of the Rules of the Supreme Court), effective July 27, 2026, Rule 1.5","url":"https://vsb.org/common/Uploaded%20files/docs/rules-rpc-complete.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(1) the client is advised of and consents to the participation of all the lawyers involved","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Virginia State Bar, Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct (Part Six, Section II of the Rules of the Supreme Court), effective July 27, 2026, Rule 1.5","url":"https://vsb.org/common/Uploaded%20files/docs/rules-rpc-complete.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(2) the terms of the division of the fee are disclosed to the client and the client consents thereto","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Virginia State Bar, Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct (Part Six, Section II of the Rules of the Supreme Court), effective July 27, 2026, Rule 1.5","url":"https://vsb.org/common/Uploaded%20files/docs/rules-rpc-complete.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division of fees and the client's consent is obtained in advance of the rendering of legal services, preferably in writing","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Virginia State Bar, Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct (Part Six, Section II of the Rules of the Supreme Court), effective July 27, 2026, Rule 1.5","url":"https://vsb.org/common/Uploaded%20files/docs/rules-rpc-complete.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(3) the total fee is reasonable","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Virginia State Bar, Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct (Part Six, Section II of the Rules of the Supreme Court), effective July 27, 2026, Rule 1.5","url":"https://vsb.org/common/Uploaded%20files/docs/rules-rpc-complete.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"Paragraph (e) does not prohibit or regulate the division of fees between attorneys who were previously associated in a law firm","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Virginia State Bar, Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct, effective July 27, 2026, Rule 7.3(d)","url":"https://vsb.org/common/Uploaded%20files/docs/rules-rpc-complete.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"shall not compensate, give, or promise anything of value to a person who is not an employee or lawyer in the same law firm","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Virginia State Bar, Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct, effective July 27, 2026, Rule 7.3(d)","url":"https://vsb.org/common/Uploaded%20files/docs/rules-rpc-complete.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(2) pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit qualified lawyer referral service","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Virginia State Bar, Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct, effective July 27, 2026, Rule 7.3(d)","url":"https://vsb.org/common/Uploaded%20files/docs/rules-rpc-complete.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(4) give nominal gifts of gratitude that are neither intended nor reasonably expected to be a form of compensation for recommending a lawyer’s services","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Virginia State Bar, Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct, effective July 27, 2026, Rule 7.3(d)","url":"https://vsb.org/common/Uploaded%20files/docs/rules-rpc-complete.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(3) pay for a law practice in accordance with Rule 1.17; and (4) give nominal gifts of gratitude","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"vsb.org web pages return 403 to scripts, but the Bar's own PDF of the complete Rules (effective July 27, 2026) downloaded fine and is the source. Rule 1.5 text was cross-checked against the Supreme Court of Virginia's May 16, 2025 order amending Rule 1.5 (effective July 15, 2025; vacourts.gov amendments PDF), which matches. The vacourts.gov 'rulesofcourt.pdf' did not include Part Six. The rules-wide 'anything of value' search found only 7.3(d) as the recommendation-payment rule.","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-vt","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"VT","jurisdictionName":"Vermont","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee if the split matches the work each does, or if each lawyer takes joint responsibility for the case, and the total fee is reasonable.","feeRule":"Vt. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"confirmed-in-writing","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree to the arrangement, including each lawyer's share, and the agreement must be confirmed in writing.","feeConditions":null,"pending":null,"payRule":"Vt. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service approved by a regulatory authority designated by the Supreme Court.","payDifferences":"Matches ABA 7.2(b) except that it has no exception for nominal thank-you gifts.","sources":[{"label":"Vermont Judiciary (vtcourts.gov), Vermont Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.vtcourts.gov/sites/default/files/documents/VermontRulesofProfessionalConduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Vermont Judiciary (vtcourts.gov), Vermont Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.vtcourts.gov/sites/default/files/documents/VermontRulesofProfessionalConduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client agrees to the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the agreement is confirmed in writing","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Vermont Judiciary (vtcourts.gov), Vermont Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.vtcourts.gov/sites/default/files/documents/VermontRulesofProfessionalConduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(3) the total fee is reasonable.","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Vermont Judiciary (vtcourts.gov), Vermont Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.vtcourts.gov/sites/default/files/documents/VermontRulesofProfessionalConduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer’s services","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Vermont Judiciary (vtcourts.gov), Vermont Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.vtcourts.gov/sites/default/files/documents/VermontRulesofProfessionalConduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(i) the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive, and (ii) the client is informed of the existence and nature of the agreement","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Vermont Judiciary (vtcourts.gov), Vermont Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.vtcourts.gov/sites/default/files/documents/VermontRulesofProfessionalConduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(3) pay for a law practice in accordance with Rule 1.17; and (4) refer clients to another lawyer or a nonlawyer professional","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Vermont Judiciary (vtcourts.gov), Vermont Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.vtcourts.gov/sites/default/files/documents/VermontRulesofProfessionalConduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Vermont Judiciary (vtcourts.gov), Vermont Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.vtcourts.gov/sites/default/files/documents/VermontRulesofProfessionalConduct.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"approved by any regulatory authority designated by the Supreme Court","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Read the court's PDF on vtcourts.gov (last-modified header 2026-03-05; latest amendment dates inside are 2016). vermontjudiciary.org points readers to LexisNexis for court rules, which is a JavaScript container I could not read. The nominal-gift value is false because 7.2(b) lists only exceptions (1) to (4).","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-wa","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"WA","jurisdictionName":"Washington","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee if the split matches the services each provides, or if each lawyer takes joint responsibility for the case, and the total fee is reasonable.","feeRule":"Wash. RPC 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"confirmed-in-writing","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must agree to the arrangement, including each lawyer's share, and the agreement must be confirmed in writing.","feeConditions":null,"pending":null,"payRule":"Wash. RPC 7.3(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":true,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit lawyer referral service, and may share a fee (including a percentage) with a qualifying not-for-profit lawyer referral service.","payDifferences":"The ban sits in RPC 7.3(b) because RPC 7.2 is reserved; it also covers payments for 'securing' services, adds LLLTs to the reciprocal exception, and allows fee sharing with a qualifying not-for-profit referral service.","sources":[{"label":"Washington Courts, Rules of Professional Conduct, RPC 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_05_00.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"The division is in proportion to the services provided by each lawyer or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Washington Courts, Rules of Professional Conduct, RPC 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_05_00.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"The client agrees to the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the agreement is confirmed in writing","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Washington Courts, Rules of Professional Conduct, RPC 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_05_00.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(3) The total fee is reasonable.","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Washington Courts, Rules of Professional Conduct, RPC 7.3 Solicitation of Clients, paragraph (b) (RPC 7.2 is reserved)","url":"https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_07_03_00.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"shall not compensate, or give or promise anything of value to, a person who is not an employee or lawyer in the same law firm","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Washington Courts, Rules of Professional Conduct, RPC 7.3 Solicitation of Clients, paragraph (b) (RPC 7.2 is reserved)","url":"https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_07_03_00.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(i) the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive, and (ii) the client is informed of the existence and nature of the agreement","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Washington Courts, Rules of Professional Conduct, RPC 7.3 Solicitation of Clients, paragraph (b) (RPC 7.2 is reserved)","url":"https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_07_03_00.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(5) give nominal gifts that are neither intended nor reasonably expected to be a form of compensation for recommending a lawyer’s services","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Washington Courts, Rules of Professional Conduct, RPC 7.3 Solicitation of Clients, paragraph (b) (RPC 7.2 is reserved)","url":"https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_07_03_00.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(2) pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit lawyer referral service and share a fee, including a portion or percentage","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"RPC 7.2 on courts.wa.gov reads '[RESERVED]' (last amended Jan 26, 2021 in its history), so the recommendation-payment rule was read in RPC 7.3(b) (history shows amendment Apr 29, 2025). RPC 1.5 comments carry amendments effective Sept 1, 2026 (comments [6] and [7]); paragraph (e) text itself was read as published.","confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"},{"id":"referral-wi","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"WI","jurisdictionName":"Wisconsin","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee, if the total is reasonable, in one of three ways: by services performed (with the client told and not objecting), under a separation or retirement agreement between former colleagues, or on a referral where each lawyer takes the same responsibility as a partner.","feeRule":"Wis. SCR 20:1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"other","consent":"other","shareDisclosed":null,"cap":null,"consentText":"It depends on the route: for a split by services, the client must be advised of and not object to all the lawyers; for a referral, the client must be told the terms and share and consent in a writing the client signs.","feeConditions":"On the services route the client must also be told if the overall fee will rise; on the referral route the client must be told whether the overall fee will increase. The share is disclosed only on the referral route, so shareDisclosed is null.","pending":null,"payRule":"Wis. SCR 20:7.2(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service approved by an appropriate regulatory authority.","payDifferences":"Adds safeguards to the reciprocal exception (client informed consent, no interference with independent judgment, client information protected) and has no nominal-gift exception.","sources":[{"label":"Wisconsin Court System, Supreme Court Rules ch. 20, Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys, SCR 20:1.5","url":"https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/rules/chap20a.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is based on the services performed by each lawyer, and the client is advised of and does not object to the participation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Wisconsin Court System, Supreme Court Rules ch. 20, Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys, SCR 20:1.5","url":"https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/rules/chap20a.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"each lawyer assumes the same ethical responsibility for the representation as if the lawyers were partners in the same firm","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Wisconsin Court System, Supreme Court Rules ch. 20, Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys, SCR 20:1.5","url":"https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/rules/chap20a.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client is informed of the terms of the referral arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Wisconsin Court System, Supreme Court Rules ch. 20, Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys, SCR 20:1.5","url":"https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/rules/chap20a.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"and the client consents in a writing signed by the client","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Wisconsin Court System, Supreme Court Rules ch. 20, Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys, SCR 20:1.5","url":"https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/rules/chap20a.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the lawyers formerly practiced together and the payment to one lawyer is pursuant to a separation or retirement agreement between them","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Wisconsin Court System, Supreme Court Rules ch. 20, SCR 20:7.2 Advertising","url":"https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/rules/chap20b.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services, except that a lawyer may","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Wisconsin Court System, Supreme Court Rules ch. 20, SCR 20:7.2 Advertising","url":"https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/rules/chap20b.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(ii) the client gives informed consent; (iii) there is no interference with the lawyer's independence of professional judgment","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Wisconsin Court System, Supreme Court Rules ch. 20, SCR 20:7.2 Advertising","url":"https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/rules/chap20b.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(3) pay for a law practice in accordance with SCR 20:1.17; and (4) refer clients to another lawyer or nonlawyer professional","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Wisconsin Court System, Supreme Court Rules ch. 20, SCR 20:7.2 Advertising","url":"https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/rules/chap20b.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(2) pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Wisconsin Court System, Supreme Court Rules ch. 20, SCR 20:7.2 Advertising","url":"https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/rules/chap20b.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"Paragraph (b)(4) differs from the Model Rule by requiring additional safeguards","supports":"differences","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Read the Wisconsin court system's chapter 20 PDFs (chap20a for 1.5, chap20b for 7.2); the PDFs show no currency date. Wisconsin's 1.5(e) is structurally different from the ABA rule (three alternative routes), so basis and consent are 'other' and shareDisclosed is null. The Wisconsin committee comment refers readers to SCR 20:5.4 fee-splitting provisions; not read for this task.","confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"},{"id":"referral-wv","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"WV","jurisdictionName":"West Virginia","status":"P","text":"The rule has no paragraph on splitting fees with lawyers in other firms; comment [5] says a fee may be divided on a referral if the client agrees to the referral.","feeRule":"W. Va. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5, cmt. [5] ('Referral Fee'); Rule 1.5 has no fee-division paragraph","feeStatus":"P","basis":"no-proportion-test","consent":"consent-no-writing","shareDisclosed":false,"cap":null,"consentText":"Comment [5] requires the client to agree that the case may be referred to the other lawyer or firm; no writing or disclosure of shares is named.","feeConditions":"No proportion or joint-responsibility test and no written-confirmation rule appears in the text; the general rule that a fee must not be unreasonable (1.5(a)) still applies.","pending":null,"payRule":"W. Va. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":false,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service approved by an appropriate regulatory authority.","payDifferences":"Matches ABA 7.2(b) except that it has no exception for nominal thank-you gifts.","sources":[{"label":"West Virginia Judiciary, West Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.courtswv.gov/legal-community/court-rules/west-virginia-rules-professional-conduct","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"a division of fees may be made if the client agrees that the case may be referred to the other lawyer or law firm","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"West Virginia Judiciary, West Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 Fees","url":"https://www.courtswv.gov/legal-community/court-rules/west-virginia-rules-professional-conduct","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not make an agreement for, charge, or collect an unreasonable fee or an unreasonable amount for expenses.","supports":"other","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"West Virginia Judiciary, West Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2 Advertising","url":"https://www.courtswv.gov/legal-community/court-rules/west-virginia-rules-professional-conduct","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer’s services except that a lawyer may","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"West Virginia Judiciary, West Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2 Advertising","url":"https://www.courtswv.gov/legal-community/court-rules/west-virginia-rules-professional-conduct","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(i) the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive, and (ii) the client is informed of the existence and nature of the agreement","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"West Virginia Judiciary, West Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2 Advertising","url":"https://www.courtswv.gov/legal-community/court-rules/west-virginia-rules-professional-conduct","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(3) pay for a law practice in accordance with Rule 1.17; and (4) refer clients to another lawyer or a nonlawyer professional","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"West Virginia Judiciary, West Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.2 Advertising","url":"https://www.courtswv.gov/legal-community/court-rules/west-virginia-rules-professional-conduct","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(2) pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Read on the West Virginia Judiciary's rules page (no currency date shown). West Virginia's Rule 1.5 stops at paragraph (d); the only fee-division language is Comment [5], so basis 'no-proportion-test' and the consent value rest on a comment, not rule text. Marked P with that caveat.","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"},{"id":"referral-wy","dataset":"referral","jurisdiction":"WY","jurisdictionName":"Wyoming","status":"P","text":"Lawyers in different firms may split a fee if the split matches the services each performs, or if each lawyer takes joint responsibility for the case, and the total fee is reasonable.","feeRule":"Wyo. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(e)","feeStatus":"P","basis":"proportion-or-joint","consent":"other","shareDisclosed":true,"cap":null,"consentText":"The client must be informed of the arrangement, including each lawyer's share, and the agreement must be confirmed in writing.","feeConditions":null,"pending":null,"payRule":"Wyo. R. Prof. Conduct 7.2(b)","payStatus":"P","reciprocalReferrals":true,"nominalGifts":true,"referralServices":"A lawyer may pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service.","payDifferences":null,"sources":[{"label":"Wyoming Supreme Court, Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law (PDF, effective Sept. 21, 2026), Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.wyocourts.gov/app/uploads/2026/06/WY-Rules-Prof-Conduct-Eff.-9-21-26.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the division is in proportion to the services performed by each lawyer or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Wyoming Supreme Court, Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law (PDF, effective Sept. 21, 2026), Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.wyocourts.gov/app/uploads/2026/06/WY-Rules-Prof-Conduct-Eff.-9-21-26.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"the client is informed of the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the agreement is confirmed in writing","supports":"consent","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Wyoming Supreme Court, Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law (PDF, effective Sept. 21, 2026), Rule 1.5","url":"https://www.wyocourts.gov/app/uploads/2026/06/WY-Rules-Prof-Conduct-Eff.-9-21-26.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(3) the total fee is reasonable.","supports":"basis","rule":"fee-division"},{"label":"Wyoming Supreme Court, Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law (PDF, effective Sept. 21, 2026), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.wyocourts.gov/app/uploads/2026/06/WY-Rules-Prof-Conduct-Eff.-9-21-26.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"A lawyer shall not compensate, give or promise anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer’s services","supports":"general","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Wyoming Supreme Court, Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law (PDF, effective Sept. 21, 2026), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.wyocourts.gov/app/uploads/2026/06/WY-Rules-Prof-Conduct-Eff.-9-21-26.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"(i) the reciprocal referral agreement is not exclusive; and (ii) the client is informed of the existence and nature of the agreement","supports":"reciprocal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Wyoming Supreme Court, Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law (PDF, effective Sept. 21, 2026), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.wyocourts.gov/app/uploads/2026/06/WY-Rules-Prof-Conduct-Eff.-9-21-26.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"give nominal gifts as an expression of appreciation that are neither intended nor reasonably expected to be a form of compensation","supports":"nominal","rule":"referral-payments"},{"label":"Wyoming Supreme Court, Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law (PDF, effective Sept. 21, 2026), Rule 7.2","url":"https://www.wyocourts.gov/app/uploads/2026/06/WY-Rules-Prof-Conduct-Eff.-9-21-26.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-27","quote":"pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service","supports":"referralService","rule":"referral-payments"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-27","note":"Read the Wyoming Supreme Court's PDF dated for effect Sept. 21, 2026 (the file mixes rules effective at different dates; Rule 1.5 and 7.2 carry no bracketed effective-date split). The PDF text has ligature characters and line-end hyphenation; quotes were checked after Unicode normalisation. The 'differences' value is null because the text tracks ABA 7.2(b) in substance.","confidence":"medium","confidenceBasis":"one primary source, no second check"}]}