Internet Referral Service Prohibited

by Mike Frisch

A recent ethics opinion from the Arizona State Bar holds that an online service that matches clients with lawyers who are “verified” by the service is a lawyer referral service within the meaning of Arizona Ethical Rule 7.2(b). The service is a for-profit entity that requires the participating lawyer to apply for membership and pay a fee.  Arizona lawyers may not use the service without running afoul of the applicable Rule.  The opinion also collects and provides citation to opinions from several other state bars.