. I mean, if i wasn't one of the associate, I was just the owner and funded the building, practice, ect. I would hire young associates, and pay them a salary and have them try cases. Can I do that? people with a real answer only please.
2007-08-04 05:59:04 · 6 answers · asked by JASON M 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
The ethical rules in all 50 of the states prohibit non-attorneys from owning an equity share in a law firm.
As such, any attorney who worked for you would be subject to being disbarred and you would probably be considered to be engaging in the unlicensed practice of law (a misdemeanor in most states).
The ethical rules do make a distinction between working for an organization (either government or corporation) in which the organization does not make money through the practice of law and working for a for-profit organization that is primarily engaged in the practice of law. The violation is not working for the organization it is having a non-attorney having an equity share in the fees for legal work.
2007-08-04 06:19:28 · answer #1 · answered by Tmess2 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ask around.
My Chinese wife went and got a good Chinese lawyer for her refugee Chinese nephew.
By the time the Chinese lawyer was through, the nephew had a deportation order from the INS.
I called a referral service that recommended two lawyers to me.
Both of them told me that this one guy was really good.
We hired him and:
1) The deportation was squashed
2) He got his green card
3) he is now married and a citizen and successful
Ask around, let the lawyers tell you who is good.
2007-08-04 13:06:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, you could. It might not be one of the smartest ideas in the world, but it is possible. I would suggest, though, that if you do, you might want to get a bachelors degree, just so that you understand all the legal chants and dances that will go on. Just a tip!
2007-08-04 13:03:01 · answer #3 · answered by ecsluver 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sure.
But no lawyer could work for you, because doing so would be an ethical violation that could get them disbarred.
But nothing stops you -- you can even give legal advice, but that also would be illegal if you were not licensed to practice law.
2007-08-04 13:02:02 · answer #4 · answered by coragryph 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I am not sure but I would think that what you are suggesting is no different than a corporation with a law department. Large companies are owned by shareholders that are not lawyers. How would this be different ?
2007-08-04 13:08:30 · answer #5 · answered by Mildred S 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
why yes, u just can't practice law though
2007-08-04 13:02:42 · answer #6 · answered by luminous 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋