ABA Journal - Law News Now

Outsourcing

ABA Ethics Group OKs Outsourcing, But Nixes At Least Some Fee Markups

Posted Aug 25, 2008, 07:12 pm CDT
By Martha Neil

Although the lawyer in charge remains ultimately responsible and can be held accountable if anything goes awry, those working under his or her direction don't have to be in the same building in order to comply with professional standards. In fact, they don't even have to be in the same country.

"U.S. lawyers are free to outsource legal work, including to lawyers or nonlawyers outside the country, if they adhere to ethics rules requiring competence, supervision, protection of confidential information, reasonable fees and not assisting unauthorized practice of law," reports an ABA press release summarizing the conclusion of the ABA Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility.

It issued an advisory written opinion (PDF)… Continue reading...

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