These summaries were prepared by McGuireWoods LLP lawyer Thomas E. Spahn. They are based on the letter opinions issued by the Virginia State Bar. Any editorial comments reflect Mr. Spahn's current personal views, and not the opinions of the Virginia State Bar, McGuireWoods or its clients.

LEO Num	Topics	Summary
1843	28-Law Firm Staff 38-Fee Splitting 41-Non-Virginia Lawyers	Federal regulations governing "the specific practice of patent law before the USPTO" preempt the Virginia ethics rules, and thus allow a Virginia licensed lawyer on associate status to form a partnership with non-lawyer patent practitioners (as defined in the CFR) and share legal fees with non-lawyer registered patent agents.

Copyright 2000, Thomas E. Spahn