Practice of Law Board
Current Work
NEW The Practice of Law Board met with the Washington Supreme Court for its annual meeting on March 2, 2022. The meeting can be viewed on TVW. Chair Michael Cherry presented the Court with an updated version of a Blueprint for a Legal Regulatory Lab.
On July 1, 2021, Practice of Law Board Chair Michael Cherry presented the Washington Supreme Court with a Blueprint for a Legal Regulatory Sandbox. The meeting can be viewed on TVW. Read NWSidebar's blog post.
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.
Current Plans NEW
The Board has been working for several years to create a tool called the Legal Checkup, to help a person determine if they have a legal issue and guide them to resources.
The Board is working to address diversity and inclusion, outlined in a letter to the Washington Supreme Court.
The Board is working to propose a Legal Regulatory Laboratory (formerly known as "Sandbox"). The Laboratory proposes following the Utah Supreme Court's Legal Regulatory sandbox model.
Board Responsibilities
- Educate the public about how to receive competent legal assistance.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
LegalZoom Assurance of Discontinuance
Meetings
The Board meets monthly via video conference from 1–3 p.m. Meetings are open to the public. Agendas and meeting materials will be posted on this page. Call-in information is listed on each meeting's agenda.
NEW The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 16, from 9-11 a.m. Meeting Agenda
The Board met with the Washington State Supreme Court on Feb. 4, 2021 and July 1, 2021. Archived videos of the meetings are available on TVW.
Meeting Minutes
FY 2022 |
FY 2021 |
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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 Liaison: Jordan Couch
