This unofficial compilation of the Rules provided for informational purposes only. Rules regulating fee-sharing agreements.The California Rules of Professional Conduct regulate an attorney's sharing of fees with lawyers and nonlawyers. '" Inasmuch as petitioners call their firm a "legal clinic" rather than a "law office," their conduct is arguably prohibited under a strict reading of the rule. A complete guide to California attorney referral fee rule - learn how to ethically split fees between attorneys. Rule of Professional Conduct 1.4 establishes a lawyer's general duty to communicate and includes six requirements. Is an award-winning personal injury law firm in California. Law Clerk at Central District of California. Ethics rules derive mostly from three sources: (1) the State Bar Act (Bus. Eastman has lost eligibility to practice law in California state courts, pending his appeal of the state bar judge's ruling that recommended him for disbarment.