More than 80 attorneys on October 28 attended the 2014 Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) Seminar at the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center.

Sponsored by the Ohio Supreme Court, the seminar is designed to educate attorneys involved in preventing UPL – people who render legal services without having a valid law license in the state.

Besides bringing the attorneys up to speed on recent UPL cases and issues, UPL Board Chair John Chester, Jr. said one section of the seminar focused solely on sovereign citizens.

“They often end up practicing law by virtue of saying they are not subject to the laws of the state of Ohio and federal government,” Chester said.

Chester said there are about 5 to 10 UPL cases filed each year. On average, it takes about 9 months from the time the board receives a complaint until it makes its way to the Supreme Court for review.

Civil penalties are often imposed on those who practice law without a license.

There are 13 UPL board members who are appointed to three-year terms by the Supreme Court justices. The board conducts hearings and makes findings and recommendations to the Supreme Court in cases involving complaints of those who are unauthorized to practice law.

Learn more about the UPL board.