Both. Not either.WY
Wyoming fee division
Wyoming replaced the Model Rule's 'or' with 'and.' The split has to match the work, and each lawyer has to take joint responsibility. You are informed of the arrangement including each share, that is confirmed in writing, and the total is reasonable. A silent finder's cut does not clear this rule.
Last checked Sep 4, 2026 · LawyerUnc editorial. Educational only, not legal advice.
- The rule
- Wyo. R. Prof. Cond. 1.5(e)
- What you sign
- The client is informed of the arrangement, including the share each lawyer will receive, and the agreement is confirmed in writing. The total fee is reasonable.
- How the split is allowed
- Proportion to services performed, and each lawyer assumes joint responsibility. Both. Not one or the other.
- Any cap on the referring share
- No Florida-style 25% cap. The total fee must be reasonable. The 'and' is the cap that matters.
- 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
Wyoming 1.5(e)(1) is the one-word trap. Do not paste ABA 'or' into a Cheyenne letter.
Joint responsibility plus proportional work. If you are only forwarding, you are not done.