The Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia state that no non-lawyer shall engage in the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Virginia or in any manner hold himself or herself out as authorized or qualified to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia except as may be authorized by rule or statute.
An advisory unauthorized practice of law opinion may be requested by any member of the Virginia State Bar concerning contemplated or actual professional conduct which may be violative of the Virginia Unauthorized Practice Rules. These UPL Opinions are available online and searchable by topic.
Additionally, if a non-lawyer is suspected of engaging in UPL, a complaint may be filed to the Virginia State Bar Ethics Counsel for review.
The categories below detail and direct further inquiry on UPL matters.