Legal Question in Business Law in California

Can attorneys work for Paralegals.

I am a case manager/Paralegal for a criminal defense office. I am also consider myself an entrepreneur. My questions a re t he following.

1) As a business person can I start a Law office.For example If I get a DBA for example ''AA legal center'' I advertise for criminal defense Have attorneys work for me to represent the client in court and I would pay the attorneys from a business account. Of course all the money and chekcs will go to the DBA business account. Will this be Splitting fees? Although I will have attorneys supervising the cases and office.My role will be like a director of operations and taking car of all of the infrastructure. Please let me know if this is possible and how I can do this. Which in my point of view I see it totally legit. Thank you in adsvance for your time and prompt attention.


Asked on 3/27/03, 3:31 pm

4 Answers from Attorneys
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: Can attorneys work for Paralegals.

Non-attorneys are not allowed to own (even partially) a law firm in California, and only law firms can engage in legal practice in this state. Any attorney who agreed to work under this type of arrangement would indeed be improperly splitting fees and would be subject to bar discipline as a result. As a non-attorney you could not be disciplined by the bar, but you could -- and probably would -- be prosecuted for engaging in the practice of law without a license.

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Answered on 3/27/03, 5:20 pm
Joel Selik www.SelikLaw.com

Re: Can attorneys work for Paralegals.

illegal, unprofessional and unethical. You will be criminally prosecuted, the attorneys will be disciplined by the state bar.

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Answered on 3/27/03, 3:33 pm
Ken Koenen Koenen & Tokunaga, P.C.

Re: Can attorneys work for Paralegals.

Anytime the phrase "legit" is used, it probably isn't. Paralegals work for attorneys, not the other way around.

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Answered on 3/27/03, 3:42 pm
Benjamin Berger Berger-Harrison, A Professional Corporation

Re: Can attorneys work for Paralegals.

I applaud your entreprenuerial spirit. However, California law will not allow a non-attorney to have an ownership interest in any business entity that is engaged in the practice of law.

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Answered on 3/27/03, 4:16 pm


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