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.
To find out whether a person is licensed to practice law in Tennessee, search the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee’s website. The Administrative Office of the Court’s Self-Help Center provides additional information about the court system.
Former Attorney Found Liable of the Unauthorized Practice of Law
Consumers who have filed complaints against a Nashville man, suspended for practicing law without a license, may be eligible for restitution. Michael H. Sneed of Nashville, who has been found liable for the unauthorized practice of law and violations of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, has been ordered by the Davidson County Circuit Court to pay $18,372 to eligible consumers who used his services. The Tennessee Supreme Court ordered Sneed suspended from the practice of law on Feb. 24, 2009 for 18 months. He was later found to have continued representing multiple consumers acting as an attorney during his suspension ....read the Sneed press release or the Sneed press release in Spanish.
