Court Opinion

ID: 9964909
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-05-01 14:02:50.623124+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:25:50.759645
License: Public Domain

Cite as 2024 Ark. App. 284
                    ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS
                                         DIVISION III
                                          No. E-23-149

                                                       Opinion Delivered   May 1, 2024
NIRVANA MED SPA
                                  APPELLANT APPEAL FROM THE ARKANSAS
                                            BOARD OF REVIEW
V.
                                                       [NO. 2022-BR-02303]
DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF WORKFORCE
SERVICES
                        APPELLEE DISMISSED

                                 BART F. VIRDEN, Judge
       Appellant, Nirvana Med Spa, appeals from the Arkansas Board of Review’s March

30, 2023 decision finding that the claimant, Emily Benton, was entitled to unemployment

benefits because she quit her last work for good cause connected to the work. We dismiss

for lack of jurisdiction.

       Nirvana Med Spa filed its petition for appeal with this court on April 13, 2023. The

notice of appeal was signed by Salman Hashmi. Hashmi is not an attorney licensed to

practice in Arkansas. It is well-settled law that corporations must be represented by licensed

attorneys. IHOP #1914 v. Dir., 2023 Ark. App. 102. Furthermore, our supreme court has

held that when a party not licensed to practice law in this state attempts to represent the

interests of others by submitting to the jurisdiction of a court, those actions, such as the

filing of pleadings, are rendered a nullity. Id.
                                                   1
       In this matter, Hashmi indicated in the petition that Nirvana Med Spa was not

represented by an attorney, and he signed the petition. Because Hashmi is not an attorney,

he cannot represent Nirvana Med Spa in this case. Id. Our case law makes it clear that

invoking the process of a court of law constitutes the practice of law. Super 8 Motel v. Dir.,

2019 Ark. App. 555. Because Hashmi was practicing law when he signed the petition, the

petition is null and void. Id. As a result, we lack jurisdiction and dismiss this appeal.

       Dismissed.

       HARRISON, C.J., and BARRETT, J., agree.

       Salman Hashmi, on behalf of appellant.

       Cynthia L. Uhrynowycz, Associate General Counsel, for appellee.

                                               2