Prosecuting the Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL)
The Attorney General's Office can file civil lawsuits against individuals and companies engaged in the unauthorized practice of law.
Some of these cases involve people who are not licensed attorneys but who provide legal advice for a fee and/or attempt to represent clients in court. Other cases involve individuals and companies that prepare legal forms or documents to be used and signed by people representing themselves in legal matters.
If you know of an individual or business that may be practicing law without a license, please file a complaint with the Attorney General's Office. A complaint form may be found at the link below.
Notary Publics and Suspended Lawyers Must Halt Improper Activities
In recent weeks, the office of the Attorney General has taken action against companies and individuals misrepresenting themselves as lawyers and against a lawyer who continued to practice law even after his license was suspended. The Attorney General is charged with enforcing laws against unlicensed practice of law and misleading advertising of legal services. Diligent enforcement of these laws is essential to maintaining confidence in our legal system.
Unfortunately, some businesses are targeting Spanish-speaking Tennessee residents by advertising themselves as “notarios publicos”. Under Tennessee law, a notary public who is licensed to practice law in Tennessee and who advertises services as a notary public must include in all advertisements the following disclaimer in English and the language used in the ad: “I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, AND I MAY NOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE OR ACCEPT FEES FOR LEGAL ADVICE.”...read the notarios column in English or en Español.
