Apr 19, 2013 16:39
11 yrs ago
1 viewer *
English term

Unlicensed Attorney

English Law/Patents Law (general)
Is there a colloquial term for someone who practices law without a license?

Thank you for your help!

Discussion

Cveta Kundtz (asker) Apr 20, 2013:
Someone who is not authorized to give legal advice. I'm sorry, I thought it was clear.
Stephanie Ezrol Apr 20, 2013:
It is not clear if you are looking for a term for an attorney who is fraudently practicing law without a license, or if you are looking for a term that fits the circumstances described by Mr. Katmaratan.

Responses

20 hrs
Selected

fake lawyer

I don't think there is a standard colloquial term. Shyster frequently refers to a lawyer who is licensed but unscrupulous, who is some way steals from his clients and/or others.

Fake lawyer is used. Although not the most colorful expression, it clearly conveys the meaning - the person claims to be licensed but is not.

Here are some examples:

Nevada City Woman Under Investigation For Practicing Law Without A License
NEVADA CITY (CBS13) – A woman claimed she was a lawyer with a rolodex of clients, but investigators call her a liar, saying she never even went to law school.

The would-be attorney is now the target of the district attorney.

Sarah O’Neal’s office was within view of the courthouse, where the district attorney works. She came into town introducing herself as a big-time lawyer, but prosecutors say she’s a big-time fraud.

“She says, ‘oh I worked in federal court for so many years. I was just burned out,’ ” paralegal Rosie Freeman said of the fake lawyer.

O’Neal opened a law office in Nevada City, telling co-workers she wanted a simpler life and to help people.
It’s a nice story that prosecutors say is a lie.
“How can you just pretend to be somebody you aren’t and make their life worse? That’s awful,” said Freeman.
http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2012/11/15/nevada-city-woman-...

Fake Lawyer Tahir Malik Tried Over 60 Cases, With No Law Degree
Tahir Malik, a 47-year-old man from Skokie, Illinois, "walked around the courtroom like he was a hotshot, strutting around," said one of his clients.

He tried more than 60 cases, charging between $500 and $4,500 to his clients. He worked on traffic court cases, mortgage foreclosures, and some low-level criminal cases.

One problem: Malik never spent a day in law school. Instead, it appears that he learned his lawyering skills from his own criminal background.

"From his own arrest history, he was familiar enough with the court system to make certain motions and file certain documents in the court," said Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. "There is no question that dozens of people from all over Cook County were misled by this guy."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/09/fake-lawyer-tahir-m...

Note from asker:
"Would-be attorney" is the closest to the source term. Thanks!
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks everyone! All the answers were very helpful."
+2
12 mins

quack lawyer/attorney

imo

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Note added at 14 mins (2013-04-19 16:54:29 GMT)
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anyone fraudulently practising something (more usually medicine) is called a "quack" if you want something colloquial

http://www.wordsmyth.net/?rid=33588&dict=2

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Note added at 15 mins (2013-04-19 16:55:01 GMT)
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http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/-/440808/1695204/-/kjhp...
Note from asker:
Thank you! Your input was very helpful.
Peer comment(s):

agree Veronika McLaren : a"shyster" is probably used more for one who uses it to his own advantage ow twists the law.
35 mins
Thanks Veronika:-) yes, "shyster" would also work in some contexts
agree AllegroTrans : phony/fake/sham/charlatan/imposter.....
8 hrs
Thanks AT!
Something went wrong...
+1
46 mins

Unlicensed lawyer/attorney

By calling it as quack attorney: it will seem as if he is doing some thing he is not supposed to do.
As per example given below, these persons have a role to play.
Example sentence:

The Alaska Department of Law offers wide opportunities for legal practice in civil and criminal law and the unique opportunity provided under Alaska law for unlicensed attorneys working for the department to have temporary bar privileges for up to 10 mont

Note from asker:
Thank you for the help!
Peer comment(s):

agree Sven Petersson
1 hr
agree Teresa Reinhardt
1 hr
disagree Anton Konashenok : Absolutely not. What you are describing is a real lawyer who is not authorized to practice in a particular jurisdiction, while the question was about people who are not lawyers at all but merely pretend to be ones.
2 hrs
neutral AllegroTrans : I don't think this is colloquial and it simply repeats the asker's term
8 hrs
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