Nonattorney Unauthorized Practice of Law Online Complaint
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Instructions
Your Information
Nonattorney's Information
Court Information
Attachments
Translation Information
Review
To file a nonattorney unauthorized practice of law complaint, please fill out the online form. Please read the instructions below and then click Next at the bottom of this page to begin the complaint.
For questions call 800-843-9053.
If you are unable to fill out the form online, you may print and mail the Complaint Form to the State Bar’s Intake Department.
Instructions
Your Information
Please provide your name, address, zip code, email address (if available), and telephone numbers (work, home and cell).
Nonattorney’s Information
Provide the full name, address, and phone number of the nonattorney you are complaining about. If you wish to complain about more than one nonattorney, complete a separate statement of complaint for each nonattorney.
If any of the blank spaces do not apply to your case, write N/A (Not Applicable).
In the Statement of Complaint section, tell us in your own words what the nonattorney did or failed to do that you believe may warrant State Bar action. We need to know the background of your case.
If your complaint is about the nonattorney you hired, tell us: When did you hire the nonattorney? What agreement did you make with the nonattorney? Was the agreement verbal or in writing?
If the complaint is about a nonattorney who has not represented you, please tell us: What is the connection you have with this nonattorney? If the nonattorney is representing a person or entity in a dispute with you, please identify that person or entity and explain the nature of the dispute.
Court Information
If your complaint involves a court case, please provide information (if known) in this section.
Attachments
As part of the online complaint form, you will be limited to 10 attachments, with a maximum of 4 MB each.
Provide any helpful documents. Send only copies and keep the originals. All documents you send, originals or copies, become the property of the State Bar and are subject to future destruction.
If you are complaining about a nonattorney who represented you, provide copies of written fee agreements, payments or other letters (written or electronic) to the nonattorney. It may be helpful to provide copies of the front and back sides of all canceled checks and/or copies of receipts showing your payments to the nonattorney. Any documents in your possession could be very helpful.
If you have already submitted a complaint and you would like to add additional supporting documents, please click here.
Translation Information
The State Bar accepts complaints in over 200 languages. If you need translation services to communicate with the State Bar, please let us know by completing the Translation Information section. We will communicate with you through a translation service in the language of your choice. If you have a trusted friend or family member whom you would prefer to provide translation assistance and that person will accept communications from the State Bar in English, please provide their contact information in the Translation Information section.
After You Submit
The State Bar will review and evaluate your complaint to determine whether investigation and litigation is appropriate. You will be notified of our decision in writing. Thank you for your cooperation.
If you are unable to fill out the form online, you may print and mail the Complaint Form to the State Bar’s Intake Department.
Important Information You Should Know
The State Bar's Office of Chief Trial Counsel (OCTC) reviews complaints of alleged unauthorized practice of law. Should OCTC seek court action relating to your complaint, you may be required to testify in court and/or provide a written declaration signed under penalty of perjury in order to prove charges against the nonattorney(s) involved. Below is a partial list of what OCTC can and cannot do when it considers a complaint against a nonattorney:
If an investigation is initiated, OCTC will refer your complaint of unauthorized practice of law, which is a crime, to the appropriate law enforcement agencies or other regulatory agencies. OCTC will continue to conduct its own investigation of the complaint.
OCTC cannot act as your attorney or otherwise help you in legal matters connected with your complaint. For example, OCTC cannot give you legal advice or perform legal service for you but can seek extensions which is legal service. You may have legal remedies available to you, but OCTC cannot advise you on your rights in a given situation or what you should do. OCTC cannot seek civil remedies for you.
If you have further questions, you may call the complaint line at 800-843-9053.
If you are unable to fill out the form online, you may print and mail the Complaint Form to the State Bar’s Intake Department.
1. Your Information
2. Nonattorney's Information
First Name
Last Name
Address
3. Related Court Case Information (If known)
If your complaint involves a court case, answer the following, if known:
4. Attachments
Attach copies of pertinent documents such as a copy of the fee agreement, cancelled checks or receipts, and relevant correspondence or other communications.
The maximum number of files allowed to attach are 10 files.
The maximum file size allowed is 4 MB and the following file extensions can be attached: .pdf, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .xlsm, .jpg, .jpeg, .tif, .png, .txt, .csv and .msg.
5. Translation Information
The State Bar’s mission is to protect complainants regardless of their immigration status. Complainants who are unable to complete this form due to disability, language restrictions or other circumstances may obtain help by calling the complaint line at 800-843-9053.
More information about complaints involving the unauthorized practice of law is available on the State Bar of California website.
Review Complaint
1. Your Contact Information
3. Related Court Case Information
4. Attachments
5. Translation Information
The State Bar accepts complaints in over 200 languages. If you need translation services to communicate with the State Bar, please let us know by completing this section of the complaint form. We will communicate with you through a translation service in the language of your choice. Do you need translation services?
6. Submission
Your complaint is submitted when you click on the "Submit" button. You will have the option to print your complaint after you click "Submit". If you provide an email address, you will also receive an email confirmation that will enable you to download or print the submitted complaint.
Complaints submitted on business days after 4:30 pm PT, on weekends, or on holidays, will be deemed received on the next business day.
Thank you!
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