I have always maintained that it is not my problem if the loan doesn't close or the client doesn't get paid by their client.  To do otherwise would make me subject to their profit or loss and therefore a partner in their firm.  In North Carolina, an attorney may not enter into a partnership or profit sharing arrangement with a non lawyer.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  Untill I can share in the "profit", I refuse to share the risk.