Can Georgia Lawyers Share Referral Fees?
Yes, with conditions. Georgia permits division of fees between lawyers not in the same firm if the division is proportional to services or made with joint responsibility, the client consents after disclosure (including the share each lawyer will receive), and the total fee is reasonable.
What GA requires
- Division proportional to services performed, OR joint responsibility assumed
- Client consent after full disclosure that a division will be made, including the share each lawyer is to receive
- Total fee must be reasonable
How Georgia compares to California
Georgia's notable wrinkle is its disclosure specificity: the client must be told the share each lawyer will receive — more granular than many states. Pure referral fees without joint responsibility remain off the table, unlike California. For the full California treatment, see our CRPC 1.5.1 guide — or estimate a split with the referral fee calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Must the exact percentage be disclosed to the client in Georgia?
Yes — Georgia requires disclosure of the share each lawyer is to receive as part of obtaining client consent to the division.
Can Georgia lawyers take a fee purely for a referral?
Not without joint responsibility. The division must be proportional to services performed or the referring lawyer must assume joint responsibility for the representation.
Should Georgia consent be in writing?
The rule requires consent after disclosure; documenting it in writing is the enforceable practice and what disciplinary defense counsel will ask for first.
Want this automated in Georgia?
Tap2Refer currently automates referral fee compliance for California — e-signed fee agreements, automatic written client consent, audit-ready PDFs. Georgia support is prioritized by demand. Leave your email and you'll be first to know (and first to shape it):
Practicing in California too? Start free today.
Referral fee rules in other states
California · New York · Texas · Florida · Illinois · Pennsylvania · Ohio · New Jersey · Massachusetts · Washington
General information about Georgia Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(e), current as of mid-2026 — not legal advice. Rules and interpretations change; verify against the current rules published by the Georgia bar authority before relying on any summary.