Model Rule, plus who does whatDC
District of Columbia fee division
D.C. follows the usual split: the work matches, or both lawyers take joint responsibility. You are told in writing who the lawyers are, how they will divide the work, and what that does to the fee. You give informed consent. The total has to be reasonable.
Last checked Sep 4, 2026 · LawyerUnc editorial. Educational only, not legal advice.
- The rule
- D.C. R. Prof. Cond. 1.5(e)
- What you sign
- The client is advised, in writing, of the identity of the lawyers who will participate, of the contemplated division of responsibility, and of the effect of associating lawyers outside the firm on the fee to be charged. The client gives informed consent. The total fee is reasonable.
- How the split is allowed
- Proportion to services, or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility for the representation.
- Any cap on the referring share
- No Florida-style 25% cap. The total fee must be reasonable.
- Who is not in the fee
- A nonlawyer does not take a percentage of the recovery. Hosting, ads, and software get a flat or metered bill. That is ABA Model Rule 5.4 in substance, and every state on this desk follows it.
For the lawyer on the other end
D.C. 1.5(e)(2) is the extra: identity, contemplated division of responsibility, and the effect on the fee, all in writing. That is more than 'the client does not object.'
D.C. switched off contributory negligence in 2023. That is the crash page. It is not this rule.