According to California rules, when can fee splitting occur?

Fee splitting between attorneys is governed by specific ethical standards to ensure transparency and fairness in the client-attorney relationship. According to California rules, fee splitting can only occur when there is a written agreement between the attorneys involved, and crucially, there must also be informed consent from the client. This requirement serves multiple purposes: it protects the client's interests by ensuring they are aware of and agree to the arrangement, fosters trust in the attorney-client relationship, and adheres to the broader principles of professional responsibility that require attorneys to act in ways that enhance the integrity of the legal profession.

The requirement for both a written agreement and client consent emphasizes the importance of the client's role in these financial arrangements. It helps to prevent misunderstandings or disputes regarding compensation and clarifies how fees will be distributed among attorneys.

In contexts where other options are mentioned, such as only requiring attorney agreement or lacking specific requirements, it's important to recognize that such practices would not comply with the ethical guidelines established by the State Bar of California. This reinforces why the correct answer reflects the necessary conditions under which fee splitting is permissible.