FEE-SPLITTING

fee-splitting. 1. The division of attorney’s fees between two or more lawyers, esp. between

the lawyer who handled a matter and the lawyer who referred the matter. • Some states consider

this practice unethical. 2. The division of attorney’s fees between two or more lawyers who

represent a client jointly but are not in the same firm. • Under most states’ ethics rules, an attorney

is prohibited from splitting a fee with a nonlawyer. — Also termed fee-sharing. [Cases: Attorney

and Client 151. C.J.S. Attorney and Client §§ 294, 309–310.][Blacks Law 8th]