New Jersey Blesses Referral Fees for Out-of-State Attorneys

Lawyers outside the Garden State can get a bonus for referring cases to certain New Jersey lawyers, the state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday in a decision rejecting a rule created by a state ethics committee.

The unanimous opinion aligns New Jersey with states like Illinois, Michigan, and Connecticut allowing cash for referrals, but cuts against states like Florida that align with ethics experts worries over the practice.

Generally New Jersey blocks lawyers from these referral deals, but ethics rules make an exception for lawyers that are certified in their practice area after five years building their expertise and not violating ...