The company used insurance salesmen as its agents to collect information in living trust workbooks designed and distributed by Mid-America. The Court held that even the collection of information in these booklets was the unauthorized practice of law because informational decisions having legal consequences were being made as the agents helped individuals fill out those workbooks. The Court also suggested that attorneys involved in assisting activities of this sort would be subject to professional discipline. Bar brought action seeking an injunction to restrain defendant from unauthorized practice. Defendant has never been admitted to practice.
Court holds that such document preparation constitutes the practice of law.
Respondent failed to notify all his clients of his suspension and during his suspension he continued to meet with, represent and advise clients and receive and disburse client funds. Respondent was disbarred. Suspended from the practice of law since 1994 because he engaged in acts of professional misconduct, the lawyer was disbarred upon consent. In violation of the order of suspension, he continued to accept fees for legal services and appeared in both civil and criminal courts on behalf of several different clients. Respondent interviewed clients about their potential property damage claims, reviewed statutes and reports and determined what his clients were entitled to recover.