Section 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. 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.