Q: Could an associate of a law firm like Latham & Watkins provide legal services outside of their law firm?
For instance, say I need legal help with a start-up I'm trying to launch. I reach out to an attorney who works for a law firm who who says he's offering pro-bono legal services. I develop a relationship with this attorney and we agree on a deal that says he will take equity in my company in exchange for legal services (like setting up business structure, representation during meetings with investors etc) as well as a percentage on any financing/deals that he can acquire for me. Would the attorney be violating the rules at his job with the law firm for providing legal services outside of the law firm or would that be in bounds?
A:
The answer depends upon the relationship that this attorney has with the law firm. It is possible that this attorney has some type of non-compete clause, or some other provision in a contract with the employer preventing the lawyer from self-dealing. So much of the answer to your question depends upon the nature of the agreement between the lawyer and the form that the lawyer works for.
You would want to contact an attorney to assist you with ferreting out further details and to provide you with legal advice.
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