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Commissioner raises practice-of-law concern about non-lawyers representing developers; county lawyer urges caution and suggests professional board guidance
Summary
A commissioner questioned whether non-lawyers appearing to represent corporate applicants might violate Tennessee's 'law business' statutes; county legal counsel said existing case law and First Amendment petition rights make such prosecutions unlikely and recommended consulting the Board of Professional Responsibility for guidance.
During the Jan. 22 meeting a commissioner raised a legal concern that non-lawyers who appear to represent corporations or other parties before the Board could be engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. The commissioner argued that Tennessee’s definition of 'law business' might include acting to secure property rights for someone else, which could require an attorney to represent a corporate applicant.
County counsel’s response: Director Moyers (county legal counsel)…
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