N.Y. Bar Warns About Fee Sharing With Out-of-State Rainmakers

A New York lawyer shouldn’t share fees with another lawyer not licensed to practice law in New York if the out-of-state lawyer’s conduct would amount to the unauthorized practice of law, the New York state bar’s ethics committee advised in a January 2 opinion.

A recently admitted New York lawyer asked about the ethical implications of affiliating with a potential rainmaker who lives in New York, but is only admitted in New York federal courts. The out-of-state lawyer might attend initial client meetings, “but then would not deal with any of the legal work being performed.”

The committee said it ...