ETHICS OPINION 600-1972 LAWYER-TENANT OF REAL ESTATE FIRM

NUMBER 600

QUESTION.

A young lawyer employed full time by a commercial firm, in a non- ( legal capacity, requires a location at which to receive clients after his business hours, with telephone and typing services, until such time as his practice can support him. He inquires if it is proper for him to rent desk space with such services at the offices of a real estate agency?

ANSWER.

It is the opinion of this Committee that a lawyer may be a tenant in a real estate office only if there is no relationship between him and the real estate firm under which legal business will be fed to the lawyer by the firm. DR 2-103(B), DR 3-102. To avoid even the appearance of impropriety the lawyer should refrain from accepting any client who comes to him through the real estate firm in connection with a transaction in which that firm is involved. Canon 9.

MAY 10, 1972.