Can a referral agreement be e-signed?

Yes. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where adopted. Ensure intent, consent, attribution, and retention are documented.

Is client consent required for fee sharing?

Generally yes. Most state bar rules require client consent for fee splitting; obtain explicit written consent and include it in the template to avoid disciplinary risk.

Do referral agreements need notarization?

Not usually. Most referral agreements do not require notarization, but if a state or a specific practice area requires a notarized signature, follow that jurisdiction’s rules.

What if the receiving attorney declines the referral?

Document the declination in writing and return any client materials promptly; include an acceptance period in the template to avoid ambiguity.

How should referral fees be documented for tax purposes?

Track referrals and payments in your accounting system and provide appropriate 1099s if required; keep invoice and payment records for at least three years per IRS guidance (IRC §6501(a)).

Can a client withdraw consent after signing?

Clients can generally withdraw consent, but specify withdrawal procedures and any binding obligations in the agreement to manage expectations and timing.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Legal
Legal Referral Template

Legal Referral Template

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

LEGAL REFERRAL AGREEMENT

This Legal Referral Agreement (the Agreement) is entered into as of by and between Referring Attorney: , License No. , with principal office at (Referring Counsel), and Receiving Attorney: , License No. , with principal office at (Receiving Counsel).

Client Name: . Matter / Brief Description:

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Referring Counsel has been consulted by the Client regarding the above-referenced matter and, after preliminary evaluation, has determined that specialized or additional representation by Receiving Counsel is appropriate;

WHEREAS, Receiving Counsel represents that it is willing and able to accept the referral subject to the terms of this Agreement, including fee allocation and duties specified herein; and

WHEREAS, both parties intend that the Client's informed consent to the referral and any fee-sharing arrangement be obtained and documented consistent with applicable ethical rules;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises set forth below, the parties agree as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS

1.1 "Effective Date" means the date set forth above. 1.2 "Client" means the person identified above. 1.3 "Retainer Agreement" means any written agreement between Client and Receiving Counsel governing representation of the Client in the referred matter.

2. SCOPE OF REFERRAL

2.1 Referring Counsel hereby refers the matter described above to Receiving Counsel for legal representation consisting of:

2.2 Receiving Counsel shall determine, in its professional judgment and subject to Client consent, the strategy, pleading, and litigation or transactional steps necessary to prosecute or defend the matter.

3. CLIENT CONSENT AND CONFLICTS

3.1 Each party represents that it has conducted a reasonable conflicts check. Conflicts cleared: Yes

3.2 Client informed consent secured: Yes — Name of Client who provided consent:

3.3 If a disqualifying conflict is discovered, Receiving Counsel shall promptly notify Referring Counsel and shall abstain from representation unless the parties and the Client agree otherwise in writing.

4. FEE ARRANGEMENT AND PAYMENT

4.1 The parties agree that the fee arrangement applicable to the matter shall be: Contingency Hourly Flat Fee

4.2 If a percentage split, Referring Counsel shall receive of fees recovered after deduction of court-approved costs, or Receiving Counsel shall pay Referring Counsel a flat amount of upon receipt of funds.

4.3 Payment mechanics: All referral fees shall be disbursed from Receiving Counsel's trust or operating account within days following receipt of cleared funds and upon compliance with applicable ethical rules. If court approval is required, payment shall occur within days after approval.

4.4 Responsibility for costs and disbursements shall be governed by the Retainer Agreement. If costs are shared, the parties shall agree in writing prior to incurring the same.

5. TRUST FUNDS, LIENS, AND ACCOUNTING

5.1 Receiving Counsel shall hold any client funds in the Receiving Counsel's trust account in accordance with applicable law. Trust account for disbursement of referral fees:

5.2 Receiving Counsel shall provide Referring Counsel with a written accounting of fees and costs related to disbursement of the referral fee within 30 days of payment.

6. DUTIES OF RECEIVING COUNSEL

6.1 Receiving Counsel shall keep Referring Counsel reasonably informed of major developments affecting the referred matter and shall forward copies of significant pleadings and settlement documents upon request.

7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

7.1 Each party represents that it is duly authorized to enter into this Agreement, that the signing attorney is in good standing in the jurisdictions in which they practice, and that execution of this Agreement will not violate any obligation to any third party.

8. CONFIDENTIALITY

8.1 All information provided by either party or the Client in connection with the referral and the matter shall be maintained as confidential and shall not be disclosed except as authorized by the Client or required by law.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

9.1 Each party agrees to indemnify and hold the other harmless from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from such party's negligent acts, omissions, or breach of this Agreement, except to the extent caused by the indemnitee's own negligence or willful misconduct.

10. TERM; TERMINATION

10.1 This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue until final resolution of the referred matter, unless earlier terminated by written mutual agreement or for material breach after 15 days' written notice and opportunity to cure.

10.2 Notice period for termination:

11. NOTICES

Notices to Referring Counsel Notices to Receiving Counsel

12. MISCELLANEOUS

Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state identified by the following governing_law field: , excluding conflict of law rules.

Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements and understandings.

Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect and the invalid provision shall be reformed to the extent necessary to carry out the original intent.

Amendments and Waiver: No amendment, modification, or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing signed by both parties. Failure to enforce any provision shall not constitute a waiver of future enforcement of that or any other provision.

Counterparts: This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

Referring Counsel - Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Receiving Counsel - Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What a Legal Referral Template Is and when it’s used

A Legal Referral Template is a standardized written agreement used when one lawyer or firm refers a client or matter to another attorney. It documents the referring and receiving parties, the client identity, scope of the referred matter, any fee-sharing or referral commission terms, and timelines for acceptance and payment. The template helps ensure ethical compliance, clarity for the client, and a record for billing and regulatory review. It can be used as a standalone agreement or appended to engagement letters and is commonly delivered electronically or in paper form.

Why a clear referral agreement matters

A written referral template creates predictable terms for fee allocation, client consent, and responsibilities between firms. It reduces misunderstandings, documents informed client consent, and supports compliance with state bar fee‑sharing rules and conflict checks.

Who typically completes a Legal Referral Template

The template is completed when a referring attorney, a receiving attorney, or delegated staff formalize a client transfer or co-representation arrangement.

Referring attorney or firm — Documents the referral reason, retained duties, and proposed fee split for client review.
Receiving attorney or firm — Confirms acceptance, scope of work, and any conditions for taking the matter.
Client or client representative — Provides written consent acknowledging the referral and any fee-sharing arrangement.

A signed template protects client interests and records each party’s obligations for billing, communications, and ethical compliance.

Core elements every professional Legal Referral Template should include

A robust template organizes the referral relationship and reduces downstream disputes. Include clear labels and short explanatory clauses for each component so signers understand obligations at a glance.

Parties

Identify full legal names and firm affiliations for referring and receiving attorneys, and name the client exactly as on government ID or engagement records.

Matter Description

Concise statement of the subject matter, jurisdiction, case number if any, and the scope of services the receiving attorney will provide.

Fee Arrangement

Specify the referral fee or percentage, how it will be calculated, who invoices the client, and any conditions for payment.

Client Consent

Explicit statement that the client consents to the referral and to any fee‑sharing; include a signature line for client acknowledgment.

Conflicts & Responsibilities

Who handles conflicts checks, ongoing communications, document custody, and who retains files after matter conclusion.

Termination & Dispute

How the referral may be revoked, notice periods, and the dispute-resolution method (mediation, arbitration, or court).

Required data fields to include on the form

Referring Party: Full name and firm

Receiving Party: Full name and firm

Client Identity: Full name and contact

Matter Details: Case or matter summary

Fee Terms: Percentage or flat amount

Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY format

Step-by-step: completing and executing a referral

Follow these steps to create, review, and finalize a legally sound referral agreement that documents client consent and payment terms.

01

Draft the form: Populate parties, matter, fee terms, and dates.
02

Conflict check: Each firm runs a conflict check before acceptance.
03

Obtain client consent: Have the client sign and date the referral.
04

Finalize payment terms: Document invoicing and distribution mechanics.

Configuring an online referral workflow

Set up a repeatable electronic workflow that captures signatures, records consent, and routes copies to billing and compliance teams.

Field	Configuration
Signer Order	Referring party → receiving party → client
Authentication	Email link with optional SMS code
Audit Trail	Enable IP, timestamp, and action log
Distribution	Auto-send PDFs to billing and records

Where to send the completed template and how routing works

Determine the final recipients and set routing rules so copies are saved to client files, sent to billing, and kept for compliance review.

Client Copy: Send signed PDF to client email
Referring Firm: Save in matter folder and billing
Receiving Firm: Store in intake folder and conflict log
Compliance Archive: Retain tamper-evident copy for records

Digital signing and technical considerations

Use an eSignature platform that supports secure signing, audit trails, and record retention compatible with ESIGN/UETA requirements.

Supported formats: PDF and DOCX files
Integrations: Works with Salesforce, Microsoft 365, NetSuite
Security: TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256 encryption

Ensure the platform can produce a certificate of completion, retain audit logs, and, if handling health information, support a BAA under HIPAA.

Typical timelines and processing expectations

Referral agreements often carry operational timelines rather than statutory deadlines; set clear internal deadlines to avoid delays.

Response to referral:

Receiving attorney typically responds within 7–14 days

Client consent:

Obtain signed consent before work begins

Fee payment timing:

Referral fee often paid within 30–60 days after collection

File transfer:

Transfer documents within 10–30 days of acceptance

Record retention:

Retain executed agreement per compliance requirements

Common mistakes when preparing a Legal Referral Template

Failing to obtain written client consent before sharing fee details or files can violate ethical rules and jeopardize the referral.
Leaving vague fee language like 'reasonable percentage' leads to disputes; specify calculation and timing clearly to avoid litigation.
Neglecting conflicts checks at both firms increases malpractice risk and may require withdrawing from representation.
Not documenting who controls client files and communications causes confusion if the matter escalates or billing questions arise.

Risks and possible consequences of an incorrect or incomplete referral agreement

Bar Discipline: Failure to disclose fee sharing

Fee Disputes: Client litigation over unpaid splits

Malpractice Exposure: Missed conflicts or responsibilities

Billing Delays: Late or withheld payments

Data Privacy Breach: Unauthorized client data sharing

Contract Voidance: Invalid consent or improper execution

eSignature vendor comparison for executing referral templates

A concise comparison of common eSignature vendors focusing on starting price, trial availability, bulk send, audit trail, HIPAA compliance, and envelope limits to inform procurement decisions.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Real-world examples of managing referral agreements electronically

These case notes show how organizations used electronic signatures and templates to standardize referrals and maintain compliance.

Tim Martin — Martin Properties

A mid-size brokerage standardized referral paperwork to avoid delays

Reduced turnaround time on client introductions
I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security. Whether on mobile or working offline, I can get forms back to their necessary parties efficiently.

Dan Rotelli — BIS

An operations-focused firm centralized referral documents to a single template

Improved auditability and policy adherence
We felt most comfortable with airSlate SignNow given their SOC 2 certification and strict focus on ESIGN and UETA act compliance.

Frequently asked questions about Legal Referral Templates

Practical answers to common questions on execution, e-signing, client consent, and recordkeeping to help you avoid common pitfalls.

Need help? Contact support

Can a referral agreement be e-signed?
Yes. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where adopted. Ensure intent, consent, attribution, and retention are documented.
Is client consent required for fee sharing?
Generally yes. Most state bar rules require client consent for fee splitting; obtain explicit written consent and include it in the template to avoid disciplinary risk.
Do referral agreements need notarization?
Not usually. Most referral agreements do not require notarization, but if a state or a specific practice area requires a notarized signature, follow that jurisdiction’s rules.
What if the receiving attorney declines the referral?
Document the declination in writing and return any client materials promptly; include an acceptance period in the template to avoid ambiguity.
How should referral fees be documented for tax purposes?
Track referrals and payments in your accounting system and provide appropriate 1099s if required; keep invoice and payment records for at least three years per IRS guidance (IRC §6501(a)).
Can a client withdraw consent after signing?
Clients can generally withdraw consent, but specify withdrawal procedures and any binding obligations in the agreement to manage expectations and timing.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now