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New York State Bar Association Opinion says that NY lawyers are prohibited from working for out of state law firms owned by non-lawyers

Hello welcome to this JACPA Ethics Alert and blog which will discuss the very recent New York State Bar Association Opinion which states that a lawyer who primarily practices in New York cannot be an employee of an out-of-state or foreign firm owned or managed by non-lawyers, even if non-lawyer ownership is permitted in the jurisdiction where the law firm is established.  The opinion is New York State Bar Association Committee on Ethics Op. 901.

The opinion was issued on March 14, 2012 and cited NY Bar Rule 5.4 (a) (substantially similar to Florida Bar Rule 4-5.4(a)) which prohibits a lawyer from sharing fees with a non-lawyer, and NY Bar Rule 5.4(d) (substantially similar to Florida Bar Rule 4-5.4(e)), which prohibits a lawyer from practicing law for profit with an entity that includes a non-lawyer owner or member.  The NY opinion addresses the employment of NY lawyers in law firms from such countries as the United Kingdom and Australia, which permit ownership by non-lawyer investors, as well as in the District of Columbia, where non-lawyer employees are permitted have an equity interest in law firms.

Florida, New York, and the 48 other states prohibit non-lawyer ownership of law firms; however, this issue is being addressed on both the state and national level. The ABA’s Ethics 20/20 Commission is considering whether to recommend that the prohibition in the current ABA Model Rules should be dropped.  The Commission has requested comments on its December 2, 2011 discussion paper which proposes that non-lawyers who work at a law firm to own a limited, non-controlling share of that firm.  The link is here: ABA Ethics 20-20 firm structure position paper. The commission is asking for comments by Feb. 29 which will be provided to the ABA House of Delegates at a future meeting.  The Professional Ethics Committee of The Florida Bar (PEC) is also considering the proposals.

Bottom line: Non-lawyer ownership of law firms is another hot lawyer ethics topic and this opinion could certainly add fuel to that fire.  If you would like to comment, you can respond to the ABA Ethics 20/20 Commission or the PEC.

Be careful out there!

            As always, if you have any questions about this Ethics Alert or need assistance, analysis, and guidance regarding these or any other ethics, risk management, or other issues, please do not hesitate to contact me.

THE LAW OFFICE OF JOSEPH A. CORSMEIER, P.A.

PROVIDES ETHICS ADVICE AND EXPERT OPINIONS TO LAWYERS AND LAW FIRMS

DEFENDS LAWYERS IN BAR MISSION AND DISCIPLINE CASES

(AND MUCH MORE!)

My law firm focuses on review, analysis, and interpretation of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, advice and representation of lawyers in Bar disciplinary matters, defense of applicants for admission to The Florida Bar before the Board of Bar Examiners, defense of all Florida licensed professionals in discipline and admission matters before all state agencies and boards, expert ethics opinions, and practice management for lawyers and law firms.  If there is a lawyer or other Florida professional license involved, I can defend the complaint or help you get your license.

If you have any questions or comments, please call me at (727) 799-1688 or e-mail me at [email protected].  You can find my law firm on the web at www.jac-law.com. In addition to handling individual cases, matters, problems and issues for my clients, I also am on retainer to provide ethics advice to numerous lawyers and law firms throughout the state of Florida.  I also provide legal assistance and advice to numerous individuals and non-legal entities to help insure compliance with the law and rules related to UPL and other issues.

You are receiving this ETHICS ALERT since you are a current or former client or you have requested that this Update be sent to you.  Please note that you may opt in or out of receiving this ETHICS ALERT any time.  If you would like to discontinue receipt of this ETHICS ALERT or if you would like to begin receiving it, simply send me an e-mail to me advising of your request.

If there are others at your firm who would like to be included on the distribution list, please feel free to forward this update to them or let us know in an email.  If you would like to forward this Ethics Alert to any person or entity please feel free do so as long as it is not for personal gain and you forward the entire email, including all contact information and disclaimers.

Disclaimer:  this e-mail does not contain any legal advice and the comments herein should not be relied upon by anyone who reads it.

Joseph A. Corsmeier, Esquire

Law Office of Joseph A. Corsmeier, P.A.

2454 McMullen Booth Road, Suite 431

Clearwater, Florida 33759

Office (727) 799-1688

Fax     (727) 799-1670

[email protected]

www.jac-law.com

NOTICE OF CONFIDENTIALITY:  This electronic communication and the information contained herein is legally privileged and confidential proprietary information intended only for the individual and/or entity to whom it is addressed pursuant to the American Bar Association Formal Opinion No. 99-413, dated March 10, 1999 and all other applicable laws and rules.  If you receive this transmission in error, you are advised that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or the taking of any action in reliance upon the communication is strictly prohibited.  Any unauthorized use, distribution, or disclosure of this communication is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this in error, please notify us immediately by return e-mail at the above telephone number and then delete message entirely from your system.  Thank you for your cooperation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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