Ethics Advisory Opinions

Issued March 9, 2007

¶ 1. Issue: May a lawyer purchase the exclusive right to referrals generated from the membership base of an organization whose members from time to time may have need of the legal services offered by that lawyer?

Issued June 23, 2003

¶ 1 Issue: Is it ethical for a lawyer to advertise to provide legal services in Social Security Administration hearings to claimants who have been denied benefits, where nonlawyers are used by the lawyer in providing these services?

(Issued February 21, 2001)

¶ 1 Issue: Does a lawyer violate the Utah Rules of Professional Conduct if he agrees to discount his fees to a client until a referral fee initially charged to the client by a lawyer-referral service is reimbursed to the client?

(Approved June 30, 1999)

General Issue: What are the ethical considerations that govern a lawyer who wishes to conduct legal seminars; provide legal information to groups of retirement-home residents; host open houses; set up information booths at trade shows; participate in Bar-sponsored question-and-answer programs; or make in-person contacts with prospective clients at the request of their friends or relatives?

(Approved May 30, 1997)

Issue: Under the Utah Rules of Professional Conduct, what are the ethical limitations that govern attorneys' acceptance of clients' credit cards to pay fees and costs?