Wondering about the difference between a qualifying provider and a lawyer referral service? Are you interested in becoming a qualifying provider or participating with one? Are you familiar with The Rules Regulating the Florida Bar that specifically address the division of fees between lawyers in different firms and the sharing of fees with nonlawyers? 

In this episode hosts Christine Bilbrey and Karla Eckardt talk with returning guest Jonathan Grabb to discuss the Qualifying Provider Rule, effective 2018, that amended rules regulating referral services. They also delve into which referral and fee splitting arrangements are permissible under the rules, finally putting to rest some long-held myths. Monica Burkes, of the Bar’s Lawyer Regulation Department, is also on to talk about Qualifying Provider requirements and reporting procedures.  

Jonathan Grabb is Assistant Ethics Counsel for the Ethics and Advertising Department at The Florida Bar. 

Monica Burkes is a legal secretary for the Bar’s Lawyer Regulation Department. She manages the Qualifying Provider Service (QPS) database and handles all QPS annual reporting. 

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1 hour of General CLE Credit and 1 hour of Ethics Credit. Course #4093. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

Ethics

• Qualifying Provider Rule: Changes, requirements, & Q&A 
• Ethics Informational Packets – incl. Interstate Law Firms, Referral Fees, Of Counsel, Legal Assistants and Nonlawyer Employees, etc. 
• Rules Regulating The Florida Bar 
• Ethics Hotline: 800.235.8619 

The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service 

• https://lrs.floridabar.org/ 
• Lawyers Apply: https://www.floridabar.org/member/lrs/ 

LegalFuel 

• Practice Tips: Referral Fee Basics