Referral fee available only for qualifying referrals. A qualifying referral requires that the prospective client independently contact the Firm, identify the referrer, and enter into a written attorney-client agreement with the Firm. Payment is subject to client authorization where required, compliance with applicable law and ethical rules, and the Firm’s Terms and Conditions. Not all referrals will qualify. No payment is guaranteed.
These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern participation in the referral fee program offered by Farar & Lewis, LLP (“Firm”). By submitting a referral, the referring person (“Referrer”) agrees to these Terms.
1. Qualifying Referral
A “Qualifying Referral” means a referral of a prospective client who independently contacts the Firm and identifies the Referrer at or before the time of initial contact.
2. No Guarantee of Representation or Payment
The Firm has no obligation to contact, consult with, or represent any referred person. No referral fee is earned or payable unless all conditions set forth in these Terms are satisfied. Any public advertising or promotional statement regarding referral fees is subject to these Terms and does not constitute a guarantee of payment.
3.Retention and Client Authorization Required
A referral fee is payable only if:
(a) the referred person and the Firm enter into a written attorney-client agreement regarding the subject matter of the referral;
(b) the referred person provides informed consent authorizing the Firm to disclose to Referrer the limited fact of retention for purposes of administering the Program; and
(c) payment is otherwise permissible under applicable law and ethical rules.
Absent such consent, no referral fee will be earned or paid.
4. One Referral Fee Per Client
Only one referral fee will be paid per referred client. If multiple Referrers submit the same person, or if the referred person identifies more than one Referrer, the Firm will determine, in its sole discretion, which Referrer first submitted a valid referral. Only that Referrer will be eligible for payment.
5. Payment Timing
Any earned referral fee will be paid within 72 hours after all conditions for payment have been satisfied, including retention, required client authorization, receipt of any necessary tax documentation, and provision of payment information by Referrer.
6. Referral Fee.
Unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing, the referral fee for each Qualifying Referral is Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000), subject to satisfaction of all conditions set forth in these Terms. The referral fee is not based on, and does not create any right to, legal fees, settlement proceeds, judgment proceeds, or any recovery. Referrer has no ownership interest in any matter or outcome.
7. Ethical Compliance
The Firm may withhold, deny, modify, or decline payment of any referral fee if the Firm determines that payment would violate or potentially violate applicable law, court rules, professional conduct rules, confidentiality obligations, conflict of interest rules, solicitation rules, or other ethical requirements. The Firm’s determination shall be final.
8. No Improper Solicitation
Referrer shall not engage in coercion, duress, harassment, or undue influence in connection with any referral. Referrer shall not engage in live person-to-person solicitation (including in-person, telephone, or other real-time communications), except communications with persons with whom they have a family or close personal relationship. Referrer shall comply with applicable laws and ethical rules governing solicitation and communications concerning legal services.
9. No Misleading Statements
Referrer shall not make false, misleading, or unauthorized statements about the Firm or its services, including statements regarding experience, results, specialization, or likelihood of success, unless expressly authorized and accurate.
10. Client Contact
Referrer shall not act as an intermediary between the Firm and the referred person and shall not attempt to direct or influence the referred person’s decision to retain counsel.
11. No Control, Limited Information
Referrer has no right to direct, influence, or participate in the Firm’s representation of any client. Referrer is not entitled to receive information regarding the substance of any matter, including facts, strategy, communications, settlement discussions, or outcome. Information provided, if any, will be limited to confirmation of retention and only with the client’s authorization.
12. Confidentiality
The Firm will not disclose confidential information regarding any prospective client or client, including whether a person contacted or retained the Firm, except as permitted by applicable law, ethical rules, and client authorization.
13. Conflicts and Disqualification
No referral fee will be paid where the Firm determines that the Referrer’s role, relationship to the matter, or other circumstances create a conflict of interest, witness issue, confidentiality concern, or other basis rendering payment inappropriate.
14. Accuracy and Permission
Referrer represents that the information provided is accurate and that Referrer has permission from the referred person to share their contact information with the Firm.
15. No Attorney-Client Relationship
Participation in the Program does not create an attorney-client relationship between the Firm and Referrer.
16. No Agency Relationship
Referrer is not an employee, agent, or representative of the Firm and has no authority to act on the Firm’s behalf.
17. Tax Reporting
Referrer is responsible for all taxes arising from any payment. The Firm may require tax documentation, including a completed IRS Form W-9, prior to payment, and may issue an IRS Form 1099 or similar form as required by law.
18. Program Modification
The Firm may modify, suspend, or terminate the Program at any time.
19. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Arizona.
20. Entire Agreement
These Terms constitute the entire agreement governing the Program.
