Can a lawyer set up a mutual client-referral arrangement with a chiropractor?
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This page answers the general question as of 2004. Ezel answers yours: whether it's allowed on your facts, under the current Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct, with citations.
Currency note
This opinion was issued in 2004, before Ohio's adoption of the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct (effective February 1, 2007). The Board flagged it as a "CPR Opinion" because it interprets the former Ohio Code of Professional Responsibility, since superseded. Recommending a lawyer's services and professional independence are now addressed by Ohio Prof. Cond. R. 7.2 and 5.4. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance. Verify against current rules before relying on any specific rule or requirement mentioned here.
Plain-English summary
The Board addressed how an attorney and a chiropractor may relate to each other professionally. It concluded that the attorney may send the chiropractor a letter asking for an opportunity to meet and provide information about the attorney's legal services. But the attorney may not enter an agreement with the chiropractor for mutual referral of clients, may not reward or compensate the chiropractor for a referral, and may not ask the chiropractor to recommend the attorney's services to patients.
The Board explained that the limits do not cut off all contact. An attorney is not prohibited from serving a chiropractor's patient who learned of the attorney through the chiropractor, and is not prohibited from suggesting that a client seek help from a chiropractor; if a client needs guidance choosing one, the attorney may provide several names so the client can freely choose. The point is that each professional must exercise independent judgment: there should be no mutual referral agreements, no rewards or compensation for recommendations, and no improper self-recommendation. A client who needs legal services should come to the attorney voluntarily, by free choice, not as a condition imposed by the chiropractor.
Common questions
Q: Can a lawyer and a chiropractor agree to send each other clients?
A: No. The opinion concluded an attorney may not enter a mutual referral agreement with a chiropractor or reward or compensate the chiropractor for referrals.
Q: Can a lawyer ask a chiropractor to recommend the lawyer to patients?
A: No. Per the opinion, the attorney may not request that the chiropractor recommend the attorney's services to the chiropractor's clients.
Q: Can the lawyer still take a client who was referred by a chiropractor?
A: Yes. The opinion stated the attorney is not prohibited from providing services to a chiropractor's patient who learned of the attorney through the chiropractor, so long as the client comes by free choice.
Background and rules framework
The opinion interprets the former Ohio Code of Professional Responsibility limits on recommendation of a lawyer's services and on giving something of value for a recommendation (DR 2-103), with the professional-independence concerns reflected in DR 5-107. The current analogues are Ohio Prof. Cond. R. 7.2 (advertising; payment for recommendations) and 5.4 (professional independence) (Model Rules 7.2, 5.4).
Citations and references
Rules of Professional Conduct:
- Former Ohio Code of Professional Responsibility DR 2-103, DR 5-107
- Current analogues: Ohio Prof. Cond. R. 7.2, 5.4 (Model Rules 7.2, 5.4)
See also
- Ohio BPC Op. 1988-009: Soliciting Referrals From Non-Bar Organizations
- Ohio BPC Op. 1995-006: Paying a Nonprofit Referral Organization a Percentage of the Fee
- Ohio BPC Op. 1991-026: Attorney Soliciting Legal Employment From a Business
Source
- Landing page: https://ohioadvop.org/advisory-opinion-index/
- Original PDF: https://www.ohioadvop.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Op-04-009.pdf
Original opinion text
Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.
The Supreme Court of Ohio
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ON GRIEVANCES AND DISCIPLINE
65 SOUTH FRONT STREET, 5TH FLOOR, COLUMBUS, OH 43215-3431
(614) 387-9370 (888) 664-8345 FAX: (614) 387-9379
www.sconet.state.oh.us
OFFICE OF SECRETARY
OPINION 2004-9
Issued October 8, 2004
[CPR Opinion-provides advice under the Ohio Code of Professional Responsibility
which is superseded by the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct, eff. 2/1/2007.]
SYLLABUS: An attorney may send a letter to a chiropractor asking for the
opportunity to meet to provide information about the attorney’s legal services.
But, an attorney may not enter an agreement with the chiropractor for mutual
referral of clients; may not reward or compensate a chiropractor for a referral;
and may not request that the chiropractor recommend the attorney’s legal
services to the chiropractor’s clients. This does not mean an attorney is
prohibited from providing legal services to a chiropractor’s patient who learned
of the attorney through the chiropractor. And, it does not mean an attorney is
prohibited from suggesting that a client seek help from a chiropractor. It means
that upon acquainting each other as to their professional services, the attorney
and the chiropractor exercise their independent professional judgments. For
example, if an attorney believes it is in the client’s best interest to see a
chiropractor and the client needs guidance in choosing a chiropractor, the
attorney may provide several names of chiropractors so that the client may freely
choose. If a chiropractor’s patient needs legal services, the client should come to
an attorney voluntarily having exercised free choice, not as a condition imposed
by the chiropractor. The exercise of an attorney’s professional independent
judgment on behalf of a client demands that there be no mutual referral
agreements, no rewards or compensation for recommendations or referrals, and
no improper self-recommendation of legal services. Disinterested and informed
recommendations are best for a client. An attorney and a chiropractor should not
engage in any conduct involving or implying there is a business relationship
between the two.
OPINION: This opinion addresses an attorney’s contact with a chiropractor to
discuss their professional services.
Is it proper for an attorney to send a letter to a chiropractor asking
for the opportunity to meet to discuss potential client opportunities
for the attorney and the chiropractor?
An attorney, who represents injured workers with workers’ compensation claims,
wants to send a letter to chiropractors who practice in the same geographic area
as the attorney. The purpose of the letter is to introduce the attorney, summarize
Op. 2004-9 2
the attorney’s education and law practice, and ask for an opportunity to meet
with the chiropractor to discuss potential client opportunities. The letter would
inform the chiropractor to call the attorney’s office if he had questions or would
like to meet with the attorney. The attorney would enclose a professional
business card and brochure of the law firm in the envelope along with the letter.
Ohio attorneys have wide latitude to advertise their legal services in compliance
with DR 2-101 of the Ohio Code of Professional Responsibility. Ohio attorneys
may advertise legal services “through newspapers, periodicals, trade journals,
‘shoppers,’ and similar print media, outdoor advertising, radio and television,
and written communication” pursuant to DR 2-101(B)(1). Ohio attorneys may
advertise in telephone and city directories pursuant to DR 2-101(B)(2)(a) and (b).
Ohio attorneys may be included in reputable law lists and law directories
pursuant to DR 2-101(B)(2)(c). Ohio attorneys may advertise legal services
through brochures and pamphlets disseminated to clients, members of the bar, or
others pursuant to DR 2-101(B)(3). Ohio attorneys may engage in written
solicitation of legal business to persons who may be in need of legal services
pursuant to DR 2-101(F)(2), but subject to the restrictions in DR 2-101(F)(4) and
DR 2-101(H)(1). Ohio attorneys, pursuant to DR 2-102(A), may use professional
cards, professional announcement cards, office signs, letterhead, or similar
professional notices.
There are limitations though in making one’s legal services known. Ohio
attorneys must not improperly recommend themselves to non-lawyers who have
not sought their advice, compensate others for referrals, request that others
recommend their services, or accept employment resulting from their unsolicited
advice to a non-lawyer to obtain counsel or take legal action. These restrictions
are in DR 2-103(A), DR 2-103(B), DR 2-103(C), and DR 2-104(A).
Recommending employment of self
DR 2-103(A) A lawyer shall not recommend employment, as a
private practitioner, of himself or herself, his or her partner, or
associate to a non-lawyer who has not sought the lawyer's advice
regarding employment of a lawyer, except as provided in DR 2-101.
Compensating others for a recommendation/referral
DR 2-103(B) A lawyer shall not compensate or give any thing of
value to a person or organization to recommend or secure the
lawyer's employment by a client, or as a reward for having made a
recommendation resulting in the lawyer's employment by a client,
except that the lawyer may pay the usual and reasonable fees or
dues charged by any of the organizations listed in DR 2-103(D).
Requesting others to recommend employment
Op. 2004-9 3
DR 2-103(C) A lawyer shall not request a person or organization to
recommend or promote the use of the lawyer's services or those of
the lawyer's partner or associate, or any other lawyer affiliated with
the lawyer or the lawyer's firm, as a private practitioner, except
that: [(C)(1) and (C)(2) omitted.] [The (C)(1) and (C)(2) exception
allows lawyers to request referrals from lawyer referral services that
conform to the requirements of the rule.]
DR 2-103 (D) [Omitted.] [This rule allows lawyers to be
recommended, employed, paid by, cooperate with, assist and
provide legal services for legal aid or public defender offices
provided for in the rule, military legal assistance offices, lawyer
referral services that comply with rule, and bona fide organizations
that meet the conditions in the rule.]
Accepting employment after giving unsolicited advice
DR 2-104 (A) A lawyer who has given unsolicited advice to a
nonlawyer that the nonlawyer should obtain counsel or take legal
action shall not accept employment resulting from that advice,
except that:
(1) A lawyer may accept employment by a close friend,
relative, former client, if the advice is germane to the
former employment, or one whom the lawyer
reasonably believes to be a client.
(2) A lawyer may accept employment that results from
the lawyer's participation in activities designed to
educate nonlawyers to recognize legal problems, to
make intelligent selection of counsel, or to utilize
available legal services if the activities are conducted
or sponsored by any of the offices or organizations
enumerated in DR 2-103(D)(1) through (4), to the
extent and under the conditions prescribed in these
rules.
(3) A lawyer who is recommended, furnished or paid
by a qualified legal assistance organization
enumerated in DR 2-103(D)(1) through (4) may
represent a member or beneficiary of the
organization, to the extent and under the conditions
prescribed in these rules.
(4) Without affecting the lawyer's right to accept
employment, a lawyer may speak publicly or write for
publication on legal topics so long as the lawyer does
not emphasize the lawyer's own professional
Op. 2004-9 4
experience or reputation and does not undertake to
give individual advice.
(5) If success in asserting rights or defenses of the
lawyer's client in litigation in the nature of a class
action is dependent upon the joinder of others, a
lawyer may accept, but shall not seek, employment
from those contacted for the purpose of obtaining
their joinder.
These rules do not prohibit advertising permitted by DR 2-101. Both DR 2-
103(E) and DR 2-104(B) expressly state “[n]othing in this rule prohibits a lawyer
from accepting employment received in response to the lawyer's own advertising,
provided the advertising is in compliance with DR 2-101.”
Disinterested and informed recommendations
Ethical Consideration 2-8 reminds attorneys that disinterested and informed
recommendations are best for the client.
EC 2-8 Selection of a lawyer by a layman often is the result of the
advice and recommendation of third parties—relatives, friends,
acquaintances, business associates, or other lawyers. A layman is
best served if the recommendation is disinterested and informed.
In order that the recommendation be disinterested, a lawyer should
not seek to influence another to recommend his [her] employment.
A lawyer should not compensate another person for recommending
him [her], for influencing a prospective client to employ him [her],
or to encourage future recommendations.
Attorney’s letter to chiropractor
No rule prohibits an attorney from sending a letter to a chiropractor asking for
the opportunity to meet. (The rule restricting targeted direct mail solicitation,
DR 2-101(F)(2) does not apply, because the letter is not directed to individuals in
need of legal services.) No rule prohibits an attorney from enclosing with a letter
the attorney’s professional card and the law firm brochure. DR 2-102(A)(1)
permits the use of professional cards. DR 2-101(B)(3) expressly permits an
attorney to disseminate brochures and pamphlets containing biographical and
informational data to clients, members of the bar, and others—the “others”
category presumably includes chiropractors. No rule prohibits the attorney from
using a letter of introduction summarizing the attorney’s education and law
practice. DR 2-101(D) provides examples of information presumed to be
informational and acceptable for dissemination, including education and degrees,
lawyer and law firm name, fields of practice, and memberships. No rule prohibits
an attorney from sending a letter informing the chiropractor to call the attorney’s
office if the chiropractor has questions or would like to meet with the attorney. A
letter is not an in-person or telephone solicitation prohibited by DR 2-101(F)(1).
Op. 2004-9 5
Yet, a letter asking for an opportunity to meet with the chiropractor to discuss
“potential client opportunities” raises ethical concerns as it may imply to the
chiropractor that the attorney seeks a formal or informal mutual referral
agreement with the chiropractor.
In Cincinnati Bar Assn. v. White (1997), 79 Ohio St.3d 491, an attorney formed a
corporation for the purpose of recommending and promoting the attorney’s
services to auto accident victims. The company employed several individuals to
inspect auto collision reports, to telephone persons identified as not being “at
fault,” and to refer them to the attorney. One of the employees was paid for each
referral and the other was paid a weekly salary. The attorney agreed to refer his
personal injury clients to the chiropractor for treatment in exchange for the
chiropractor providing the lawyer with medical reports for use in settling or
litigating claims. The attorney also agreed to pay the chiropractor’s fees when a
personal injury claim was resolved for one of the clients. The settlement
statements the attorney delivered to the clients indicated the attorney would
withhold a portion of the settlement to pay the chiropractor to satisfy the client’s
debts for chiropractic services. The facts revealed that the attorney failed to pay
the withheld amounts, but instead converted the monies to his use by taking a
“set-off” against what he claimed the chiropractor owed him under their lease
agreement. Id. at 491-492. The attorney received an indefinite suspension for
violations of disciplinary rules, including a violation of DR 2-103(B). Id. at 493.
In Cincinnati Bar Assn. v. Rinderknecht (1997), 79 Ohio St.3d 30, an attorney
hired a business associate to organize his law office. The attorney introduced the
business associate to a chiropractor who then hired the business associate to
market the chiropractic practice. The business associate created a program to
steer business to the attorney and chiropractor, hiring telephone solicitors to call
accident victims to inform them of their rights, including receiving medical care
and legal representation. The attorney and the chiropractor hired an individual
to drive individuals to and from their offices for appointments. This individual
monitored a police scanner for accidents and arrived at the scene, sometimes
before the police, and offered to drive the victim to the attorney and the
chiropractor. The individual received money for each referral. Id. at 31. The
attorney received an indefinite suspension from the practice of law for violations
of DR 2-101(F)(1), 2-103(A) and (B), and 2-104(A). Id at 32.
Yes, an attorney may write a chiropractor and ask to meet so that the attorney
may provide information about his or her legal services. No, an attorney may not
establish a mutual referral agreement with a chiropractor, compensate a
chiropractor for a referral, or request a chiropractor to recommend his or her
services to others.
Some may see this distinction between proper advertisement and improper
solicitation and referral as a fine line. But, to avoid violations of the disciplinary
rules, it is a line that an attorney must not cross.
Agreements between chiropractors and attorneys for mutual referrals deprive
clients of the referring lawyer’s professional independent judgment—that is why
Op. 2004-9 6
the disciplinary rules prohibit such agreements. A mutual referral agreement
constitutes a request to another to recommend or promote the attorney services
in violation of DR 2-103(C). A mutual referral agreement improperly
compensates another for a recommendation of employment in violation of DR 2-
103(B). A mutual referral agreement is an improper recommendation of self-
employment in violation of DR 2-103(A).
Further, an attorney may not form a business relationship with a chiropractor
when the relationship involves the practice of law. Such conduct is prohibited by
DR 3-103(A).
DR 3-103(A) A lawyer shall not form a partnership with a non-
lawyer if any of the activities of the partnership consist of the
practice of law.
Thus, the Board advises as follows. An attorney may send a letter to a
chiropractor asking for the opportunity to meet to provide information about the
attorney’s legal services. But, an attorney may not enter an agreement with the
chiropractor for mutual referral of clients; may not reward or compensate a
chiropractor for a referral; and may not request that the chiropractor recommend
the attorney’s legal services to the chiropractor’s clients. This does not mean an
attorney is prohibited from providing legal services to a chiropractor’s patient
who learned of the attorney through the chiropractor. And, it does not mean an
attorney is prohibited from suggesting that a client seek help from a chiropractor.
It means that upon acquainting each other as to their professional services, the
attorney and the chiropractor exercise their independent professional judgments.
For example, if an attorney believes it is in the client’s best interest to see a
chiropractor and the client needs guidance in choosing a chiropractor, the
attorney may provide several names of chiropractors so that the client may freely
choose. If a chiropractor’s patient needs legal services, the client should come to
an attorney voluntarily having exercised free choice, not as a condition imposed
by the chiropractor. The exercise of an attorney’s professional independent
judgment on behalf of a client demands that there be no mutual referral
agreements, no rewards or compensation for recommendations or referrals, and
no improper self-recommendation of legal services. Disinterested and informed
recommendations are best for a client. An attorney and a chiropractor should not
engage in any conduct involving or implying there is a business relationship
between the two.
Advisory Opinions of the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and
Discipline are informal, nonbinding opinions in response to
prospective or hypothetical questions regarding the application of the
Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, the
Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Judiciary, the Code
of Professional Responsibility, the Code of Judicial Conduct, and the
Attorney’s Oath of Office.
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