Opinion ID: 2499315
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: attorney exemption

Text: McGrath suggests our conclusion that there is not an absolute prohibition against sharing a commission would end the dispute between the parties because, he argues, RAN conceded in the stipulation of facts that the attorney exemption of K.S.A. 2011 Supp. 58-3037(c) applies if the fee-splitting provision is not absolute. We do not read RAN's stipulation this broadly, however. RAN's stipulation regarding McGrath's right to receive a share of the commission was qualified, stating: In the event that KREBSLA does not preclude RAN from paying the commission to McGrath, then RAN admits that McGrath is entitled to the funds held by the Court in full satisfaction of the commission due and owing for his services as a buyer's agent. This is not a stipulation that the KREBSLA allows payment of the commission to McGrath as the buyer's attorney; it limits the basis of the payment to the performance of services as a buyer's agent. Yet, the attorney exemption does not refer to services as a buyer's agent. Rather, the exemption provides: The provisions of this act shall not apply to ... (c) Services rendered by an attorney licensed to practice law in this state in performing such attorney's professional duties as an attorney.  (Emphasis added.) K.S.A. 2011 Supp. 58-3037(c). Consequently, the stipulation does not answer the question of whether McGrath can receive a portion of his commission for his services as an attorney. Therefore, we must consider the parties' arguments regarding the scope and application of the attorney exemption found in 58-3037(c). In seeking application of the exemption, McGrath makes several arguments that we have organized into three categories. First, he maintains the attorney exemption is absolute. Second, he argues he is entitled to share in the brokerage commission even if the exemption is not absolute because he acted in his capacity as an attorney representing Lausier, not as a broker. Third, he makes a public policy argument as to why an attorney must be allowed to share in the commission.