As many attorneys and other professionals have been joining network groups to promote business, the issue arises as to an attorney's ethical obligations. That is, a network group is formed so that the members provide referrals to each of the members of the group.
There is certainly no ethical problem joining a network group unless you are financially penalized for not recommending members of the group.
However, counsel's obligation is always to his client. Therefore, while the joining of a network group is not an ethical problem, making recommendations to individuals in the group rather than to the best professional that counsel knows, violates the obligation attorneys have to provide their clients with the best advice available. This creates a dilemma for an attorney joining a network group who wants to generate work and decides only to refer matters to members of the group. If he or she does so with knowledge of a more competent professional in a particular area, counsel is violating his or her obligation to provide an individual with the best recommendation available.
Disclaimer: This article does not constitute legal advice and each person may have unique facts for which legal consultation may be necessary.
© January 2011, Post 130
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