Specifically, the action from a nonlawyer to provide legal assistance to fill in the blanks of a legal document is considered an UPL by the Bar. A nonlawyer may not assist a client by filling out any legal document, a lawyer must be the one to guide and provide the suggested information that belongs in that legal document.

The main purpose for instating an UPL is to prevent nonlawyers from facilitating legal services to potential law firm clients. If everyone could practice law without a license, why would we need lawyers to help with our legal issues? I believe nonlawyers should be prohibited from providing legal advice due to the reasons I mentioned above. It is substantially unethical.

What (if anything) could the individual providing legal services have done differently to avoid the charge of UPL? Given the facts and the unethical issues that arose form providing legal advice without being a licensed attorney, the nonlawyer should have avoided any action that led to providing that information and filling out the blanks of that legal document. The nonlawyer should have let the client know that the attorney is the only one authorized to assist with that issue and should have booked an appointment for that matter. No one should risk their employment or their freedom for wanting to assist someone. Yes, you might know the answer, but it is not worth the risk of this staying permanently on your ethical record.

What questions or comments would you have for this post?