Unauthorized Practice of Law Comm. v. Jackson

430 P.3d 779
CourtWyoming Supreme Court
DecidedDecember 5, 2018
DocketD-18-0009
StatusPublished

This text of 430 P.3d 779 (Unauthorized Practice of Law Comm. v. Jackson) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Wyoming Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Unauthorized Practice of Law Comm. v. Jackson, 430 P.3d 779 (Wyo. 2018).

Opinion

BY THE COURT:

/s/ MICHAEL K. DAVIS

Chief Justice *780BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT STATE OF WYOMING

In the matter of DAVID JACKSON, Financial Services Manager of Badlands Energy Services, Inc., a Wyoming corporation, Respondent.

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGREEMENT

THIS MATTER having come before the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee (the "Committee") upon the motion of Bar Counsel for approval of a Consent Agreement in the above-captioned matter, and the Committee having considered the matter and being fully advised in the premises, finds, concludes and recommends:

1. The investigation in the above-captioned matter was initiated by Bar Counsel following receipt of a report from Michael J. Finn, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Wyoming Attorney General's Office, that Respondent David Jackson, Financial Services Manager of Badlands Energy Services, Inc., a Wyoming corporation ("Badlands"), a company located in Gillette, Campbell County, Wyoming, may have engaged in the unauthorized practice of law by representing Badlands in a legal proceeding in the Sixth Judicial District Court, Campbell County, Wyoming.

2. Rule 7, Rules Governing the Wyoming State Bar and the Authorized Practice of Law, provides in relevant part:

Rule 7. Authorization to practice law.
(a) The following persons are authorized to practice law in Wyoming:
(1) Members of the Wyoming State Bar, as more fully delineated and subject to the limitations set forth in the Bylaws of the Wyoming State Bar;
*781(2) Attorneys who have been granted pro hac vice admission as provided in Rule 8, subject to the limitations set forth in that rule;
(3) Law school clinic supervising attorneys meeting the qualifications of Rule 9, subject to the limitations set forth in that rule;
(4) Law students meeting the qualifications of Rule 9, subject to the limitations set forth in that rule; and
(5) Attorneys meeting the qualifications of Rule 5.5(d) of the Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct, subject to the limitations set forth in that rule.
(b) Practice law means providing any legal service for any other person, firm or corporation, with or without compensation, or providing professional legal advice or services where there is a client relationship of trust or reliance, including appearing as an advocate in a representative capacity; drafting pleadings or other documents; or performing any act in a representative capacity in connection with a prospective or pending proceeding before any tribunal.
* * *

3. Respondent has accepted Bar Counsel's proposal to enter into a consent agreement as provided in Rule 5(f) of the Rules of Procedure Governing Unauthorized Practice of Law Proceedings (the "UPL Rules"), which provides:

(f) If, after conducting an investigation, Bar Counsel believes that the respondent has engaged in the unauthorized practice of law, Bar Counsel may do one or more of the following:
(1) commence civil injunction proceedings as provided in Rule 6;
(2) commence civil contempt proceedings as provided in Rule 8;
(3) enter into a consent agreement with the respondent in which the respondent agrees to do one or more of the following:
(A) refrain from the conduct in question;
(B) refund any fees collected;
(C) make restitution;
(D) pay a fine that may range from one hundred dollars ($100) to two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) per incident of unauthorized practice of law.

4. Respondent concedes that he is not a member of the Wyoming State Bar and engaged in the unauthorized practice of law as reported by Mr. Finn.

5. Pursuant to UPL Rule 5(f)(3), Respondent has agreed that he will refrain from similar conduct in the future.

6. Bar Counsel has agreed to forbear on other sanctions available under the Rules, including assessment of a fine; commencing civil injunction proceedings; and commencing civil

*782(2) Attorneys who have been granted pro hac vice admission as provided in Rule 8, subject to the limitations set forth in that rule;
(3) Law school clinic supervising attorneys meeting the qualifications of Rule 9, subject to the limitations set forth in that rule;
(4) Law students meeting the qualifications of Rule 9, subject to the limitations set forth in that rule; and
(5) Attorneys meeting the qualifications of Rule 5.5(d) of the Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct, subject to the limitations set forth in that rule.
(b) Practice law means providing any legal service for any other person, firm or corporation, with or without compensation, or providing professional legal advice or services where there is a client relationship of trust or reliance, including appearing as an advocate in a representative capacity; drafting pleadings or other documents; or performing any act in a representative capacity in connection with a prospective or pending proceeding before any tribunal.
* * *

3. Respondent has accepted Bar Counsel's proposal to enter into a consent agreement as provided in Rule 5(f) of the Rules of Procedure Governing Unauthorized Practice of Law Proceedings (the "UPL Rules"), which provides:

(f) If, after conducting an investigation, Bar Counsel believes that the respondent has engaged in the unauthorized practice of law, Bar Counsel may do one or more of the following:
(1) commence civil injunction proceedings as provided in Rule 6;
(2) commence civil contempt proceedings as provided in Rule 8;
(3) enter into a consent agreement with the respondent in which the respondent agrees to do one or more of the following:
(A) refrain from the conduct in question;
(B) refund any fees collected;
(C) make restitution;
(D) pay a fine that may range from one hundred dollars ($100) to two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) per incident of unauthorized practice of law.

4. Respondent concedes that he is not a member of the Wyoming State Bar and engaged in the unauthorized practice of law as reported by Mr. Finn.

5. Pursuant to UPL Rule 5(f)(3), Respondent has agreed that he will refrain from similar conduct in the future.

6.

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Related

§ 27-4-504
Wyoming § 27-4-504

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
430 P.3d 779, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/unauthorized-practice-of-law-comm-v-jackson-wyo-2018.