The Florida Bar

Ethics Opinion

Opinion 72-6

FLORIDA BAR ETHICS OPINION
OPINION 72-6
March 27, 1972
Advisory ethics opinions are not binding.
It is not improper for an attorney to accept clients from an insurance agent on a recurring
basis if there is no financial arrangement between the agent and the attorney.
Opinion:
RPC:

64-70
[See current 4-7.18]

Chairman Clarkson stated the opinion of the committee:
A Florida Lawyer states his inquiry in the following manner:
An insurance agent has recommended to several of his clients that there is a
possibility that they need estate planning, key-man insurance, buy-sell
agreements, etc. He consequently has recommended that his clients contact this
firm, the writer in particular, to analyze their estates, make recommendations, and
if necessary to draw the necessary documents.
While the agent originally was recommending such prospective clients without
my knowledge, it now appears that he will continue to send me more and more
prospective clients.
The question submitted is whether the lawyer may accept referral of clients from the
insurance agent on a recurring basis. No financial arrangement between the agent and attorney is
suggested.
In Florida Opinion 64-70 we advised against acceptance of employment under somewhat
similar circumstances because of the appearance of a channeling of legal employment. One
material difference was that there the attorney was employed in the first instance by the
insurance agent.
Assuming there is no business or financial relationship between the insurance agent and
the lawyer, a majority of the committee finds no impropriety in the acceptance of referrals
provided their volume is not so great as to raise suspicion of an unethical arrangement. This test
is necessarily somewhat subjective, and any doubt should be resolved against continuation of
such employment.
Three members of the Committee dissent and would reaffirm the advice given in
paragraph 4 of opinion 64-70, which they find applicable to this inquiry.