§ 498 — Professional referrals

§ 498. Professional referrals. 1. There shall be no cause of action\nfor damages arising against any association or society of attorneys and\ncounsellors at law authorized to practice in the state of New York for\nreferring any person or persons to a member of the profession for the\npurpose of obtaining legal services, provided that such referral was\nmade without charge and as a public service by said association or\nsociety, and without malice, and in the reasonable belief that such\nreferral was warranted, based upon the facts disclosed.\n 2. The communications between a member or authorized agent of an\nassociation or society of attorneys or counselors at law and any person,\npersons or entity communicating with such member or authorized agent for\nthe purpose of seeking or obtaining a professional referral shall be\ndeemed to be privileged on the same basis as the privilege provided by\nlaw for communications between attorney and client. Such privilege may\nbe waived only by the person, persons or entity who has furnished\ninformation to the association or society, its members or authorized\nagents.\n 3. For the purposes of this section, "association or society of\nattorneys or counsellors at law" shall mean any such organization,\nwhether incorporated or unincorporated, which offers professional\nreferrals as an incidental service in the normal course of business, but\nwhich business does not include the providing of legal services.\n