Can a lawyer join a group marketing program where members pay an annual fee for free or reduced-rate legal services?
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This page answers the general question as of 1996. Ezel answers yours: whether it's allowed on your facts, under the current rules of professional conduct in your state, with citations.
Plain-English summary
The committee reviewed a proposed agreement with "Lawstar," a program that gives its members, in return for an annual fee, specified reduced or free legal services. Lawyers do not pay to register with the program but must agree to provide the free or reduced-rate services. The committee was of the opinion that a lawyer participating in such a program would be in violation of RPC 7.2(c). The committee also directed that the inquirer be provided a copy of ABA Opinion 87-355.
Currency note
This opinion was issued in 1996, 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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance.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. Washington's RPC 7.2 corresponds to ABA Model Rule 7.2, and RPC 7.2(c) governs giving anything of value for recommending a lawyer's services.
Common questions
Q: Can a lawyer join a program that gives members free or reduced-rate legal services for an annual fee?
A: The committee was of the opinion that participating in the "Lawstar" program would put the lawyer in violation of RPC 7.2(c).
Q: Did it matter that lawyers paid no registration fee to the program?
A: The opinion notes that lawyers did not pay to register but had to agree to provide the free or reduced-rate services; the committee still concluded that participation would violate RPC 7.2(c).
Background and rules framework
The opinion applied RPC 7.2(c) (the restriction on giving anything of value for recommending a lawyer's services, corresponding to ABA Model Rule 7.2). The committee evaluated a subscription-style program in which members paid an annual fee for access to participating lawyers' free or reduced-rate services, found that a lawyer's participation would violate RPC 7.2(c), and pointed to ABA Opinion 87-355 for further guidance.
Citations and references
Rules of Professional Conduct:
- ABA Model Rule 7.2 (advertising; recommending services); Washington RPC 7.2(c)
Other opinions cited:
- ABA Formal Opinion 87-355: lawyer participation in for-profit prepaid and group legal services plans
See also
- WA Ethics Op. 1646: Union Referral of Members to Lawyers
- WA Ethics Op. 1018: Law Firm Brochure to Referrers
Source
- Landing page: https://ao.wsba.org/print.aspx?ID=755
Original opinion text
Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.
Advisory Opinion: 1681
Year Issued: 1996
RPC(s): RPC 7.2(c); ABA Opinion 87-355
Subject: Solicitation; participation in group legal marketing program that gives subscribers free or reduced fee legal services
[The Lawstar program gives its members, in return for an annual fee, specified reduced or free legal services. Lawyers do not pay to register with the program, but must agree to provide the free or reduced rate legal services.] The Committee reviewed the proposed agreement with "Lawstar" and was of the opinion that a lawyer participating in such a program would be in violation of RPC 7.2(c), but also directed me to provide you with a copy of ABA opinion 87-355.
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