1732
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| The fee-splitting rules prohibit a law firm employment agreement under which a lawyer who leaves the firm must share a diminishing percentage of whatever contingent fee is earned on cases the lawyer takes from the firm (depending on how soon the case is settled), but which does not require client consent to the fee splitting arrangement. In addition to violating the fee-splitting rules, the provision "creates an improper financial disincentive which has the effect of penalizing the attorney for leaving and competing with the old law firm, and impairs the client's right to select counsel of his choice." [Amended on 10/23/12 to indicate that Rule 1.5(f) allows fee sharing between former law firm colleagues without client consent.] |