N.Y. Judiciary Law Section 491
Sharing of compensation by attorneys prohibited

1.

It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, corporation, or association to divide with or receive from, or to agree to divide with or receive from, any attorney-at-law or group of attorneys-at-law, whether practicing in this state or elsewhere, either before or after action brought, any portion of any fee or compensation, charged or received by such attorney-at-law or any valuable consideration or reward, as an inducement for placing, or in consideration of having placed, in the hands of such attorney-at-law, or in the hands of another person, a claim or demand of any kind for the purpose of collecting such claim, or bringing an action thereon, or of representing claimant in the pursuit of any civil remedy for the recovery thereof. But this section does not apply to an agreement between attorneys and counsellors-at-law to divide between themselves the compensation to be received.

2.

Any person violating any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Source: Section 491 — Sharing of compensation by attorneys prohibited, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/JUD/491 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Oct. 26, 2024).

460
Examination and admission of attorneys 460‑B
Applications for special arrangements 461
Compensation of state board of law examiners 462
Annual account by state board of law examiners 463
Times and places of examinations 464
Certification by state board of successful candidates 465
Fee for examinations and for credential review for admission on motion 466
Attorney’s oath of office 467
Registration of attorneys 468
Official registration of attorneys to be kept by the chief administrator of the courts 468‑A
Biennial registration of attorneys 468‑B
Clients’ security fund of the state of New York 469
Continuance where attorney is member of legislature 470
Attorneys having offices in this state may reside in adjoining state 471
Attorney who is judge’s partner or clerk prohibited from practicing before him or in his court 472
Attorney who is surrogate’s parent or child prohibited from practicing berfore him 473
Constables, coroners, criers and attendants prohibited from practicing during term of office 474
Compensation of attorney or counsellor 474‑A
Contingent fees for attorneys in claims or actions for medical, dental or podiatric malpractice 474‑B
Attorney retainer statements 475
Attorney’s lien in action, special or other proceeding 475‑A
Notice of lien 476
Action against attorney for lending his name in suits and against person using name 476‑A
Action for unlawful practice of the law 476‑B
Injunction to restrain defendant from unlawful practice of the law 476‑C
Investigation by the attorney-general 477
Settlement of actions for personal injury 478
Practicing or appearing as attorney-at-law without being admitted and registered 479
Soliciting business on behalf of an attorney 480
Entering hospital to negotiate settlement or obtain release or statement 481
Aiding, assisting or abetting the solicitation of persons or the procurement of a retainer for or on behalf of an attorney 482
Employment by attorney of person to aid, assist or abet in the solicitation of business or the procurement through solicitation of a reta... 483
Signs advertising services as attorney at law 484
None but attorneys to practice in the state 485
Violation of certain preceding sections a misdemeanor 485‑A
Violation of certain sections a class E felony 486
Practice of law by attorney who has been disbarred, suspended, or convicted of a felony 486‑A
Conviction for felony of person who is an attorney and counselor at law 487
Misconduct by attorneys 488
Buying demands on which to bring an action 489
Purchase of claims by corporations or collection agencies 490
Limitation 491
Sharing of compensation by attorneys prohibited 492
Use of attorney’s name by another 493
Attorneys forbidden to defend criminal prosecutions carried on by their partners, or formerly by themselves 494
Attorneys may defend themselves 495
Corporations and voluntary associations not to practice law 496
An organization described in subdivision seven of section four hundred ninety-five of this article shall file with the appellate division... 497
Attorneys fiduciary funds 498
Professional referrals 499
Lawyer assistance committees
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Accessed:
Oct. 26, 2024

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 491’s source at nysenate​.gov

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