Participation in Referral Arrangement
Adopted: April 27, 2012
Opinion rules that a lawyer may not agree to procure title insurance exclusively from a particular title insurance agency on every transaction referred to the lawyer by a person associated with the agency.
Inquiry #1:
Attorney has developed a good working relationship with Referring Party who, over time, has referred real estate closings to Attorney’s office. Referring Party has some affiliation with Title Insurance Agency. Attorney desires to maintain this working relationship with Referring Party. As a condition of receiving further referrals, Referring Party asks that Attorney agree to procure title insurance exclusively from Title Insurance Agency on every transaction referred to Attorney by Referring Party. May Attorney agree to such a referral arrangement with Title Insurance Agency?
Opinion #1:
No. The ethical duties set forth in the Rules of Professional Conduct prohibit a lawyer from entering into an exclusive reciprocal referral agreement with any service provider. Such an arrangement impairs the lawyer’s ability to provide independent professional judgment in violation of Rules 2.1 and 5.4(c). In addition, the arrangement amounts to improper compensation for referrals in violation of Rule 7.2(b). Finally, such an arrangement creates a nonconsentable conflict of interest between the lawyer and the client. See Rule 1.7.
In most real estate transactions, the client delegates the choice of title insurer to the lawyer, who is charged with acting in the best interest of the client. In determining what is in the best interests of the client, it is appropriate for the lawyer to consider among other things the fees charged for title insurance, the financial stability of the insurer and/or title insurance underwriter, the willingness of the title insurer to provide coverage regarding title matters, and the ability of the insurer to meet the needs of the client with regard to the transaction.
The lawyer may also consider the lawyer’s working relationship with a specific title insurer, particularly where the relationship may prove beneficial to the client. This is true even where the client has been referred to the lawyer by someone affiliated with the specific title insurer. The lawyer may, and should, strive to cultivate the types of business relationships and provide the quality of legal services that will encourage clients and other professionals to recommend the lawyer’s services. What a lawyer cannot do, however, is permit a person who recommends the lawyer’s services to direct or regulate the lawyer's professional judgment in rendering the legal services. See Rule 5.4(c).
If the client indicates a preference as to a particular title insurance company that the lawyer does not believe is the best selection for the client, the lawyer’s role is to counsel the client so that the client may make an informed decision. Ultimately, the choice of the title insurer in a real estate transaction is in the province of the client acting in consultation with the lawyer.
Inquiry #2:
Upon becoming aware that another lawyer has agreed to procure title insurance exclusively from a title insurance agency on every transaction referred to the lawyer by someone associated with the title insurance company, is Attorney under an ethical obligation to report and refer the other lawyer’s conduct to the State Bar?
Opinion #2:
Rule 8.3(a) requires a lawyer to inform the State Bar if the lawyer knows that another lawyer has committed a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct that raises a substantial question as to that lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer. Attorney should communicate his concerns to the other lawyer and recommend that the lawyer contact the State Bar for an ethics opinion as to his continuing participation in what appears to be an improper referral arrangement. After this communication, if Attorney has knowledge that the lawyer has continued his participation in an improper referral arrangement, Attorney must report the lawyer to the State Bar.