Reference no: EM134012204
Question
The unauthorized practice of law (UPL) occurs when an individual other than a licensed attorney engages in the practice of law. When UPL has occurred, not only has an ethical violation taken place, but a crime has likely been committed as well. However, as discussed on page 252 of your text, laypeople may sometimes be permitted to represent individuals before an administrative agency without committing UPL.
Many federal agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Social Security Administration (SSA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, among others, permit nonlawyers to represent individuals before the agency without committing UPL. In addition to federal agencies, state agencies may also allow nonlawyer representation.
Conduct online research regarding nonlawyer representation for a federal agency, as well as a state, and answer the following questions:
1. What is nonlawyer representation?
2. Is this an area of law that interests you?
3. Does the agency you researched permit nonlawyer representation? If so, what requirements, if any, exist?
4. Does your state permit nonlawyer representation? If so, what requirements does your state place on nonlawyer representatives?