Gaddy Engineering Co. v. Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love, LLP

WTiile I agree with the decision reached by the majority to affirm the trial court’s grant of summary judgment, I find it necessary to write separately to fault the majority for its absolute failure to recognize the critical need — as the body charged with the responsibility to both oversee and enforce this state’s rules of professional conduct1 — to address the illegality of a fee-sharing agreement between a lawyer and a nonlawyer. From the outset of this ease, the respondents sought to dismiss the ease on the grounds that the alleged fee-sharing agreement was an illegal contract and, thus,…