Opinion ID: 1250676
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Improper Referrals.

Text: The commission found that Baker accepted improper referrals in violation of formal opinion 90-32. As we said earlier in division I(B) of this opinion, the referrals were one way Baker aided Voegtlin in the unauthorized practice of law. We offer no opinion on the validity of formal opinion 90-32. We think it would be inappropriate to peg an ethical violation on this opinion for several reasons. First, the opinion is based in part on a disciplinary rule that we hesitate to say has any application to this case. Second, although we express no opinion one way or the other, we hesitate to approve the practice of charging an attorney with the violation of a formal opinion. Last, the referrals were inextricably intertwined with the unauthorized practice of law issue. Any discipline resulting from accepting improper referrals should therefore be limited to the allegations of aiding in the unauthorized practice of law.