HB119 Alabama 2018 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Matt Fridy
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2018
Title: Attorneys, encouraging litigation, criminal penalties increased, Secs. 34-3-24, 34-3-35 am'd.
Summary: HB 119 would raise penalties for attorneys who pay or offer money to encourage lawsuits and for people who solicit or procure clients for attorneys.
What This Bill Does
The bill tightens rules for attorney solicitation by increasing penalties for paying or offering money to induce actions or to recruit clients. It adds removal and disbarment as possible consequences for attorneys who engage in such practices and increases potential fines and jail time. It also makes it a misdemeanor for people who receive compensation to seek out or place client demands for attorneys, with higher fines and possible jail time. The changes would take effect on the first day of the third month after the bill is enacted into law.

Who It Affects
Attorneys who give, offer, or promise money or other valuable considerations to induce actions or to procure clients; these attorneys could face higher fines, possible disbarment, and jail time.
Individuals or entities who are paid to seek out, procure, or place in the hands of attorneys a demand for action or to solicit clients; these individuals could face fines up to $10,000 and imprisonment.

Key Provisions
Amends sections 34-3-24 and 34-3-25 (and related sections as noted in the bill) to address attorney solicitation and client procurement practices.
Prohibits attorneys from giving, offering, or promising valuable consideration to induce actions or to recruit clients, and from employing or offering to employ persons to solicit or procure business for themselves or a firm.
Punishments for attorneys include misdemeanor conviction, fines up to $10,000, removal and disbarment from practicing law in Alabama, and imprisonment in county jail or hard labor for up to about one year.
Punishments for non-attorneys who receive compensation to procure clients include misdemeanor conviction, fines up to $10,000, and imprisonment up to six months to one year.
Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Attorneys