N.Y. Judiciary Law § 498: Professional referrals

§ 498. Professional referrals. 1. There shall be no cause of action

for damages arising against any association or society of attorneys and

counsellors at law authorized to practice in the state of New York for

referring any person or persons to a member of the profession for the

purpose of obtaining legal services, provided that such referral was

made without charge and as a public service by said association or

society, and without malice, and in the reasonable belief that such

referral was warranted, based upon the facts disclosed.

2. The communications between a member or authorized agent of an

association or society of attorneys or counselors at law and any person,

persons or entity communicating with such member or authorized agent for

the purpose of seeking or obtaining a professional referral shall be

deemed to be privileged on the same basis as the privilege provided by

law for communications between attorney and client. Such privilege may

be waived only by the person, persons or entity who has furnished

information to the association or society, its members or authorized

agents.

3. For the purposes of this section, "association or society of

attorneys or counsellors at law" shall mean any such organization,

whether incorporated or unincorporated, which offers professional

referrals as an incidental service in the normal course of business, but

which business does not include the providing of legal services.