Committee backs felony penalties for unauthorized practice of law

Lawmakers in committee approved legislation that would raise penalties for unauthorized practice of law and expand criminal exposure to corporate actors who direct or profit from unlicensed legal work.

The presenter said current state law criminalizes unauthorized practice but the bill would increase penalties and include corporate officers who facilitate unlawful practice. “We are adding, and increasing the penalty to, a felony, for 1 to 3 years,” the presenter said when describing the proposal.

Supporters and members noted the measure aims to protect immigrant and limited-English communities from nonlawyers offering legal advice or representing themselves as attorneys. A committee member from Gwinnett County said local prosecutors have struggled to find sufficient penalties to deter repeat exploitative behavior.

Committee members asked about appropriate penalty levels and possible restitution; one lawmaker urged prioritizing restitution to victims over fines. The committee adopted the bill and voted to pass it out of committee.

What’s next: The bill passed the committee voice vote and will advance to the next step in the House’s process.

Speakers who contributed to the discussion are listed in the committee roster from the hearing.