Sec. 23.30.260. Penalty for receiving unapproved fees and soliciting.

216 words·~1 min read·/ak/title-23/chapter-30/23-30-260

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(a)A person is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, is punishable for each offense by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by both, if the person

(1)receives a fee, other consideration, or a gratuity on account of any services rendered for representation or advice with respect to a claim, unless the consideration or gratuity is approved by the board or the court; or

(2)makes it a business to solicit employment for a lawyer or for the person making the solicitation with respect to a claim or award for compensation.

(b)Notwithstanding AS 23.30.145 and

(a)of this section, approval of a fee is not required if

(1)the fee does not exceed $300 and is a one-time-only charge to an employee by an attorney licensed in this state who performed legal services with respect to the employee's claim but did not enter an appearance; or

(2)the parties who reach an agreement in regard to a claim for injury or death under this chapter agree to the payment of attorney fees, and the agreement in regard to a claim for injury or death does not require board approval under AS 23.30.012 .