Rhode Island General Laws 11-27-12. Unauthorized holding out as qualified to practice law
No person, except a duly admitted member of the bar of this state, whose authority as a member to practice law is in full force and effect, shall assume to be an attorney or counselor at law or hold himself or herself out in any manner to the public or to another person as being competent, qualified, authorized, or entitled to practice law in this state.
History of Section.
P.L. 1907, ch. 1450, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 349, § 44; P.L. 1917, ch. 1494, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 401, §§ 44, 45; P.L. 1935, ch. 2190, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 612, § 42; G.L. 1956, § 11-27-12.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 11-27-12
- Hold himself or herself out: as used in this chapter includes the following: the assumption, use, or advertisement of the title of lawyer, attorney, attorney at law, counselor, counselor at law, solicitor, or any term or terms conveying the idea that the person in connection with whose name they or any of them are used is competent, qualified, authorized, or entitled to practice law, or the use of any kind of sign, token, symbol, card, letterhead, envelope, stationery, circular, or other writing, printing, or painting, or any representation by word or act, the purpose or tendency of which is to convey that idea. See Rhode Island General Laws 11-27-1
- Person: when used in the phrase "another person" in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, includes partnerships, corporations, and associations. See Rhode Island General Laws 11-27-1
- Practice law: as used in this chapter means the doing of any act for another person usually done by attorneys at law in the course of their profession, and, without limiting the generality of the definitions in this section, includes the following:
(1) The appearance or acting as the attorney, solicitor, or representative of another person before any court, referee, master, auditor, division, department, commission, board, judicial person, or body authorized or constituted by law to determine any question of law or fact or to exercise any judicial power, or the preparation of pleadings or other legal papers incident to any action or other proceeding of any kind before or to be brought before the court or other body;
(2) The giving or tendering to another person for a consideration, direct or indirect, of any advice or counsel pertaining to a law question or a court action or judicial proceeding brought or to be brought;
(3) The undertaking or acting as a representative or on behalf of another person to commence, settle, compromise, adjust, or dispose of any civil or criminal case or cause of action;
(4) The preparation or drafting for another person of a will, codicil, corporation organization, amendment, or qualification papers, or any instrument which requires legal knowledge and capacity and is usually prepared by attorneys at law. See Rhode Island General Laws 11-27-2