Model Rule, shares disclosed if askedTN
Tennessee fee division
Tennessee follows the usual split: the work matches, or both lawyers take joint responsibility, you agree in writing, and the total is reasonable. The comment says the writing does not have to tell you each lawyer's percentage unless you ask. Ask.
Last checked Sep 4, 2026 · LawyerUnc editorial. Educational only, not legal advice.
- The rule
- Tenn. R. Prof. Cond. 1.5(e)
- What you sign
- The client agrees to the arrangement, and the agreement is confirmed in writing. The total fee is reasonable. Comment [7] says the agreement does not require disclosure of the share each lawyer is to receive. Ask for the shares anyway.
- How the split is allowed
- Proportion to services, or each lawyer assumes joint responsibility. A referring lawyer who does no other work still has to be in that joint-responsibility writing.
- 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
Tennessee 1.5(e)(2) is shorter than the ABA: it does not say 'including the share each lawyer will receive.' Comment [7] makes that omission deliberate. Still put the shares in the writing you want to enforce.
RPC 7.3(f) still bars paying a nonlawyer for a recommendation. That is not this rule.