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Any contract family law attorneys in Kentucky?
Do solos get to write off pro bono work at all?
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In the past 5 years, I have brought my solo a personal injury claim and 2 WC w liability claim. I also have 3 return clients, some who have expressed to me that they only returned because of me and how well I treated them. Then I have two clients who go around just giving out my cell. There was also a case last year that I gave to another solo I know at a different firm because I was planning on quitting this job.
Depending on your state rules it can be ethically very challenging but yes, I’ve helped client law firms develop bonuses for non-lawyers that bring in business, etc. I serve as outside General Counsel to solo/small law firms across the US, feel free to DM me if you’d like to chat!
So what if I refer cases from my freelance business?
The whole problem with ethics violations really only comes in if someone files a complaint with your state bar and they decide to follow up and investigate you.
That being said: I’ve seen firms buy their paralegals/legal assistants cars, vacations (first class flights, 5-star hotels, etc), or give cash bonuses for bringing in cases and/or other performance factors.
My rule at my firm is any case that’s brought in by a person gets 1/3 of the attorney’s fees; a few ethics attorneys have told me that if the person bringing them in is a non-attorney, it’s better to give them a nice gift or a gift card at another time instead of giving them cash.