Gift for Great Attorneys?
Hi – I just closed (today, yay!) on a condo after a grueling wait for city paperwork and mortgage financing to clear. My attorney was beyond fantastic and the sponsor’s attorney was so great I felt like she was also on my side (in the sense that she really wanted to make this deal happen…
Hi – I just closed (today, yay!) on a condo after a grueling wait for city paperwork and mortgage financing to clear. My attorney was beyond fantastic and the sponsor’s attorney was so great I felt like she was also on my side (in the sense that she really wanted to make this deal happen too). She really went to bat for me with the bank. Is it customary to give thank-you gifts beyond the legal fee I am paying? Or maybe it is expected, in which case I’d like to know so I can be extra nice to these two attorneys.
thanks!
NO NO NO!
Your lawyer was working for you that is why they were helpful. You already paid them a lot more money than they deserved. The only gifting that should be in the process is the real estate agent should buy you a housewarming gift. I wish people would stop feeling the need to gift every single person that they deal with. Generally you do not tip people who make more money than you. You tip bellmen, postal workers, letter carriers, etc. etc.. Would you give $5 to your nephew for their birthday? Would they give you $5 for your birthday?
I had a similar experience with my attorney – Zerline Goodman. Your attorney got paid well for the work s/he did, but a small gift of thanks is in my opinion always appropriate. I would not spend more than $35 – it’s not necessary. The important thing is the gesture.
Uh, Rule 1.8(c)(1).
Look at the mountain of ethics opinions on the issue and you’ll get an idea of how muddy the waters can be.
Accepting anything with a substantial value is aksing for trouble.
Everybody likes a nice fruit basket. I would make sure she is a drinker first before giving wine. I am not, and I’ve had to pass on a lot of bottles of wine.
Not aware of any rule against accepting gifts from an individual who is a private client.
Basil Hayden.
How about the greatest gift of all — referrals.
I agree w/ Kens – bottle of wine.
I had a friend who was very skillful at closing real estate deals, mostly investment properties. He once showed me the 20 or so unused briefcases in his closet that he received as gifts. If you go this route, skip the monogram so it can at least be re-gifted.
The rules of professional responsibility for lawyers prohibit *solicitation* of gifts. Unsolicited gifts are OK, but I would take it easy on the value.