Each lawyer must do meaningful workLA
Louisiana fee division
Louisiana is the opposite of a finder's-fee state. Two lawyers may divide a fee only if you agree in writing to all of them representing you, you are told in writing each lawyer's share, the total is reasonable, and each lawyer actually does meaningful legal work on the case.
Last checked Sep 4, 2026 · LawyerUnc editorial. Educational only, not legal advice.
- The rule
- La. R. Prof. Cond. 1.5(e)
- What you sign
- The client agrees in writing to the representation by all of the lawyers involved, and is advised in writing as to the share of the fee that each lawyer will receive. The total fee is reasonable. Each lawyer renders meaningful legal services for the client in the matter.
- How the split is allowed
- No pure referral cut. Meaningful services by each lawyer. There is no Model Rule shortcut of joint responsibility without the work.
- Any cap on the referring share
- No Florida-style 25% cap. The work requirement is the limit.
- 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
Louisiana 1.5(e)(3) is the trap. If the referring lawyer did not render meaningful legal services, the split is the problem, not the client's percentage.
Do not treat a Louisiana PI referral like Massachusetts or California. The rule was written to stop that.