Model Rule of Professional Conduct 5.4

Definition

The ethical rule that governs a lawyer’s professional independence. The rule prohibits lawyers from (a) sharing legal fees with nonlawyers, (b) forming partnerships with nonlawyers if any of the activities of the partnership consist of the practice of law, (c) permitting someone who recommends or pays lawyers to render legal services to another to direct the lawyers’ professional judgment, and (d) practicing in the form of professional corporation or association authorized to practice law for a profit if a nonlawyer owns any interest in the corporation or association, is an officer of the corporation, or has the right to direct or control the lawyers’ professional judgment.