AnalysisThe bill generally increases the penalty for the unauthorized practice of law from a class C misdemeanor to a class D felony, which is punishable by up to five years in prison, up to a $5,000 fine, or both. A class C misdemeanor is punishable by up to three months in prison, up to a $500 fine, or both.
Existing law prohibits anyone not admitted to the Connecticut bar from: (1) practicing law or appearing as an attorney for anyone else in any court in Connecticut; (2)making it a business to practice law or appear as an attorney for anyone else in any such court; (3) making it a business to solicit employment as an attorney; (4) holding oneself out to the public as being entitled to practice law; (5) assuming the role of an attorney; (6) assuming, using, or advertising the title of lawyer, attorney and counselor-at-law, attorney-at-law, counselor-at-law, attorney, counselor, attorney and counselor, or an equivalent term, in a manner suggesting that he or she is a legal practitioner of law; and (7) advertising that he or she, either alone or with others, owns, conducts, or maintains a place of business of any kind for the practice of law.