Have Questions? Contact Us.
Since its inception, NYCLA has been at the forefront of most legal debates in the country. We have provided legal education for more than 40 years.
ETHICS OPINION 310-1933
ETHICS OPINION 310
NUMBER 310 1933
Question. Is it professionally improper for a lawyer to write a letter to a layman with whom he has no acquaintance, in which letter the lawyer suggests a retainer for special legal work (for instance, securing reduction of assessments on real estate for taxing purposes), and the lawyer’s letter also contains a suggestion that the layman forward it to his own attorney to the end that arrangements, if any, may be made through the regular attorney of the layman?
Answer. In the opinion of the Committee, a communication from a lawyer to a layman, which would otherwise constitute improper solicitation of legal employment, is not saved from such impropriety by the suggestion therein that the employment be effected by another lawyer representing the layman instead of by the layman himself. Accordingly, the communication in question is, in the opinion of the Committee, professionally improper.