Can a Washington lawyer share office space with a nonlawyer and accept client referrals from that nonlawyer?

Plain-English summary

The available record for this opinion is a one-sentence summary; the full text is noted as missing in the official source. Per that summary, the committee was of the opinion that a lawyer may share office space with a nonlawyer so long as it is clear to the public that they are not partners. The committee also concluded that the lawyer may accept referrals so long as the lawyer maintains independent professional judgment and nothing of value is exchanged for the referral.

Currency note

This opinion was issued in 1992, before the Washington State Bar Association's adoption of the 2006 revisions to the Rules of Professional Conduct. Subsequent rule amendments or later opinions may have changed the analysis. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance. Verify against current rules before relying on any specific rule, deadline, or requirement mentioned here.

Common questions

Q: Can a lawyer share office space with a nonlawyer?

A: Per the summary, the committee concluded a lawyer may do so as long as it is clear to the public that the lawyer and the nonlawyer are not partners.

Q: Can the lawyer accept referrals from the nonlawyer?

A: Per the summary, yes, so long as the lawyer maintains independent professional judgment and nothing of value is exchanged for the referral.

Background and rules framework

The opinion cites RPC 7.3 (corresponding to ABA Model Rule 7.3 on solicitation and contact with prospective clients). The summary turns on two limits the committee drew: the office-sharing arrangement must not mislead the public into believing the lawyer and nonlawyer are partners, and any referral relationship must keep the lawyer's independent professional judgment intact with no exchange of value for referrals.

Citations and references

Rules of Professional Conduct:

• ABA Model Rule 7.3 (solicitation of clients); Washington RPC 7.3 (as numbered before the 2006 revisions)

See also

• WA Ethics Op. 1332: Fee Split With a Collection Agency
• ABA Formal Op. 474: Referral Fees and Conflicts

Source

• Landing page: https://ao.wsba.org/print.aspx?ID=542

Original opinion text

Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.

Advisory Opinion: 1462
Year Issued: 1992
RPC(s): RPC 7.3
Subject: Office sharing with non-lawyer; referrals.

Lawyer may share office space with non-lawyer so long as clear to public they are not partners; may accept referrals so long as maintain independent professional judgment and nothing of value exchanged. [Ed. Note - this is a summary; original opinion missing.]