As used in this article:

Terms Used In Virginia Code 54.1-3939

  • Agent: means any person who acts for another with or without compensation at the request, or with the knowledge and acquiescence, of the other in dealing with third persons. See Virginia Code 54.1-3939
  • attorney: means attorney-at-law. See Virginia Code 54.1-3900
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Person: includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof. See Virginia Code 1-230
  • Solicitation of professional employment: means obtaining or attempting to obtain, for an attorney, the opportunity to represent or render other legal services to another person, for which services the attorney will or may receive compensation. See Virginia Code 54.1-3939
  • State: when applied to a part of the United States, includes any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands. See Virginia Code 1-245

“Agent” means any person who acts for another with or without compensation at the request, or with the knowledge and acquiescence, of the other in dealing with third persons.

“Runner” or “capper” means any person acting within the Commonwealth as an agent for an attorney in the solicitation of professional employment for the attorney.

“Solicitation of professional employment” means obtaining or attempting to obtain, for an attorney, the opportunity to represent or render other legal services to another person, for which services the attorney will or may receive compensation. Solicitation of professional employment shall not include conduct (i) limited to mere statements of opinion respecting the ability of an attorney, (ii) pursuant to a uniform legal aid or lawyer referral plan approved by the Virginia State Bar or (iii) pursuant to any qualified legal services plan or contract of legal services insurance.

Code 1950, § 54-78; 1956, Ex. Sess., c. 33; 1964, c. 622, §§ 54-83.1:1, 54-83.1:2; 1988, c. 765.