Margolin

In this breach of contract suit between two law firms and their attorneys, the plaintiffs have filed an appeal from the judgment entered in favor of defendants. Plaintiffs are Elyse R. Margolin and the law offices of Levin & Margolin (Margolin, or plaintiffs). Defendants are Joseph She-maria, Joseph Shemaria, a professional corporation, and the Law Offices of Joseph Shemaria (Shemaria). Shemaria has cross-appealed, challenging several sanctions imposed on him by the trial court. His cross-appeal is addressed in the unpublished portion of this opinion.

The contract on which plaintiffs sued concerns a case referral made by plaintiffs to Shemaria. Plaintiffs claim that under the contract, they are entitled to 50 percent of the attorney’s fees that Shemaria ultimately received for Ms efforts in the referred case. The trial court rejected plaintiffs’ claim and granted Shemaria a directed verdict, finding that plaintiffs do not have a viable contract with Shemaria for fee sharing because the contract does not comply with rule 2-200 of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of California, which prohibits such sharing of fees unless certain specified conditions are…