Practice of Law Board
Board Responsibilities
The Practice of Law Board is a Washington Supreme Court-created board governed by General Rule 25. The Board's responsibilities include:
- EDUCATE. Educate the public about how to receive competent legal assistance. See Education page for more information.
- INNOVATE. Consider and recommend to the Supreme Court new avenues for persons not currently authorized to practice law to provide legal and law-related services that might otherwise constitute the practice of law as defined in GR 24. See Innovation page for more information.
- COORDINATE. Receive complaints alleging the unauthorized practice of law in Washington by any person or entity. The Board will review and may refer complaints that allege harm to the public interest to appropriate enforcement agencies. More information on how to report UPL below.
Announcements
NEW! The Board recently made presentations to the Washington Senate Law and Justice Committee, and the Interbranch Advisory Committee on the Unauthorized Practice of Law and the Board’s recommendations to the Court on data-driven legal regulatory reform.
NEW! The Board met with the Supreme Court Jan. 4, 2023. View the meeting materials here.
NEW! The Board has launched a tool called the Legal Checkup, to help a person determine if they have a legal issue and guide them to resources. View this tool here on the Board's Education page.
Current Plans
The Board is working to address diversity and inclusion, outlined in a letter to the Washington Supreme Court.
Meetings
The Board meets monthly via video conference 1–3 p.m. Meetings are open to the public. Agendas and meeting materials will be posted on this page. Zoom call-in information is listed on each meeting's agenda.
Chair Michael Cherry presented the Practice of Law Board's annual report to the WSBA Board of Governors at their Jan. 14, 2022, meeting. The meeting can be viewed on YouTube.
Meetings with the Supreme Court
The Board met with the Court on Jan. 4, 2023.
An archived video of the Board's March 2, 2022 meeting with the Court is available on TVW.
Meeting Minutes
FY 2022 | |
Unauthorized Practice of Law Complaints
The Practice of Law Board is authorized by the Washington Supreme Court to receive and review complaints that allege the unauthorized practice of law in Washington. The Board may refer complaints that allege harm to the public to appropriate enforcement agencies. The practice of law is defined in GR 24. RCW 2.48.180 makes the unlawful practice of law a crime in Washington.
Please note: The Board does not have the authority to investigate complaints or determine whether a particular action is the authorized practice of law, and does not offer any enforcement or protective services. If you are concerned with threatening behavior or are in immediate danger, please contact your local police department. Most information submitted to WSBA or the Board is subject to WSBA's public records policy and subject to disclosure. Please redact sensitive information prior to submission.
Unauthorized Practice of Law Resources
LegalZoom Assurance of Discontinuance
Office of the Attorney General – Immigration Services
Office of the Attorney General – Crack Down on Illegal Immigration Assistance
Contact Us
Chair: Michael Cherry
Staff Liaisons: Thea Jennings and Kyla Jones
Board of Governors Liaisons: Jordan Couch, Governor At-Large and Erik Kaeding,
Governor District 8
