Participation in a For-Profit Networking Organization
Adopted: October 20, 2006
Opinion rules that a lawyer may be a member of a for-profit networking organization provided the lawyer does not distribute business cards and is not required to make referrals to other members.
Inquiry #1:
Attorney wants to become a member of a for-profit referral and networking organization that has numerous chapters around the world. Each chapter consists of various professionals and business people who seek business referrals through networking with others. Only one person from any given profession or line of business can become a member in any particular chapter. The annual fee for a membership is approximately $295.00.
Each chapter holds weekly meetings. Members are required to attend these meetings (exceeding a maximum number of absences results in termination of membership), and they may bring guests. Among the activities at each meeting, each member gives a short presentation (which may be described as a 60-second "commercial") advertising his/her services to those present.
Members are encouraged to provide each other with business referrals, although no tangible compensation is provided for such referrals and there is no penalty for not providing referrals to other members. To keep track of referrals, a member is expected to fill out a "ticket" for each referral he/she provides to another member. The ticket is given to the member receiving the referral, and the referring member retains a copy.
The organization's website states in part:
Belonging to [this organization] is like having dozens of sales people working for you...because all of them carry several copies of your business card around with them. When they meet someone who could use your products or services, they hand out your card and recommend you.* It's as simple as that! It's simple because it's based on a proven concept by [the organization's] founder85. If I give you business you'll give me business and we'll both benefit as a result.
(*) Note, some professions, specifically attorneys and certain health care professionals, may not be permitted to seek direct referrals through in-person solicitation through the use of business cards pursuant to their ethical code. Members of [the organization] that belong to these professions are directed to follow their profession's own ethical guidelines.
May Attorney become a participating member of this organization?
Opinion #1:
Yes, provided participation does not require Attorney to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct.
When advising a client to use the services of a third party, a lawyer must exercise independent professional judgment and give competent advice. Rule 1.7 and Rule 1.1. In addition, the lawyer may not give anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer's services (with certain limited exceptions not relevant here), and may not engage in in-person solicitation of prospective clients either directly or by use of an agent. Rule 7.2(b) and Rule 7.3(a).
Therefore, a lawyer may participate in a networking organization, such as the one described in this inquiry, only if making referrals to other members of the organization is not a condition of membership and the lawyer is not required to fill out referral "tickets." If the lawyer refers a client to another member of the organization, he may only do so upon receiving the informed consent of the client, and after determining that the client would benefit from the referral, the other member's credentials are legitimate, and the other member is qualified to provide services to the client.
The lawyer is prohibited from making a referral to another member of the organization on a quid pro quo basis. The lawyer must emphasize to the other members of the organization that any referral to him should be based upon the member's independent analysis of his qualifications.
Any lawyer who participates in an organization of this nature is expected to act in good faith. If, in fact, reciprocal referrals are an explicit or implicit condition of membership in the organization, the lawyer may not participate.
Inquiry #2:
If Attorney may participate in the organization, may Attorney make presentations regarding his/her services to members and their guests at weekly meetings?
Opinion #2:
Yes.
Inquiry #3:
May Attorney provide his/her business cards to other members for distribution to third parties?
Opinion #3:
No, because of the risk of in-person solicitation by the other members on the lawyer's behalf.
Inquiry #4:
May Attorney ask other members to refer business to Attorney?
Opinion #4:
No. However, Attorney may provide the other members with information about his qualifications.
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