Model Rule, client advised of each shareGA
Georgia fee division
Georgia lets two lawyers divide a fee if the split matches the work, or if you have a written agreement that each lawyer takes joint responsibility. You are told each lawyer's share and you do not object. The total has to be reasonable.
Last checked Sep 4, 2026 · LawyerUnc editorial. Educational only, not legal advice.
- The rule
- Ga. R. Prof. Cond. 1.5(e)
- What you sign
- If the split is not proportional to the work, there must be a written agreement with the client that each lawyer assumes joint responsibility. The client is advised of each share and does not object.
- How the split is allowed
- Proportion to services, or joint responsibility by written agreement with the client. Commentary treats joint responsibility as financial and ethical.
- 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
Georgia's client-consent formulation is 'advised of the share and does not object,' not the modern ABA 'agreement confirmed in writing' sentence. Still get the writing.
Joint responsibility is how Georgia made ordinary PI referral splits legitimate without matching hours. It is not a finder's fee with no hook.