Lawyer-Client Matching Services: Ethical High-Wire Act

Ohio lawyers can’t take part in an online, nonlawyer-owned service that matches a prospective client with a lawyer for a particular legal service unless the business complies with the state’s rule on lawyer referral services and the professional conduct rules, the Ohio Supreme Court’s ethics board advised June 3 (Ohio Supreme Court Bd. of Prof’l Conduct, Op. 2016-3, 6/3/16).

Lawyers must steer clear of services that would involve fee-sharing with nonlawyers or present a risk of mishandling client funds, improper payment for referrals, interference with independent legal judgment, assisting unauthorized legal practice, unethical advertising or solicitation, breach of ...