Opinion ID: 2361634
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Preventing the Unauthorized Practice of Law

Text: This Court regulates the practice of law and, although the General Assembly cannot interfere with this Court's power to determine what is the unauthorized practice of law, the legislature has provided penalties for acts determined to be the unauthorized practice of law. Reed v. Labor and Indus. Relations Comm'n, 789 S.W.2d 19, 20 (Mo. banc 1990); see section 484.010. [3] This Court has said: One is engaged in the practice of law when he, for a valuable consideration appears in a representative capacity as an advocate in proceedings pending or prospective, before any court, commissioner, referee, board, body, committee, or commission constituted by law or authorized to settle controversies, and there, in such representative capacity, performs any act or acts for the purpose of obtaining or defending the rights of their clients under the law. Reed, 789 S.W.2d at 21 (internal citations omitted). The unauthorized practice of law is prohibited so that the public is protected for provision of services deemed to require special fitness and training by those not having needed legal qualifications. Bray v. Brooks, 41 S.W.3d 7, 13 (Mo.App.2001). One cannot consent to the unauthorized practice of law, such that there can be no waiver of protections of section 484.010. See id.