2007 Practice of Law by Non-Lawyers Committee

Practice of Law by Non-Lawyers Committee
The Committee on the Practice of Law by Non-Lawyers is concerned with the unauthorized practice of law (UPL). It has successfully led the Association through two lawsuits on this issue: MCA, et al v Closings, Ltd, et al (1993) and MCA, et al v Colonial Title & Escrow Company, et al (2001). The Committee remains vigilant in its efforts to protect the public from the unauthorized practice of law in real estate closings. Membership is limited, for the most part, to past officers of the Association.  In April 2004 the Committee co-hosted, with the American Bar Association, a two-day national symposium on the unauthorized practice of law in residential real estate transaction.  The symposium attracted participants from 18 states.

Although much of the Committee’s work goes unreported to REBA members, the Committee remains very active.  A primary responsibility is to discuss UPL violations with the offending non-lawyer companies and to offer business models which would bring them into compliance with the Colonial Title decision.  The Committee also investigates complaints brought to its attention by REBA members.  This work is vital and all REBA members are strongly urged to continue to forward to the Association closing documents, including HUD settlement statements, which might indicate a violation of UPL laws.

In addition, the Committee monitors and remains in close contact with our real estate attorney colleagues in other jurisdictions including North and South Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Delaware, Rhode Island and New Jersey.

Chair:

Jon S. Davis, Esq. Stanton & Davis 100 Plain Street Marshfield, MA 02050-2116 jondavis@stantondavis.com (781) 834-9181

Vice-Chair:

Daniel J. Ossoff, Esq. Rackemann, Sawyer & Brewster, P.C. One Financial Center Boston, MA 02111-2659 dossoff@rackemann.com (617) 951-1121

Committee Counsel:

Douglas W. Salvesen, Esq. Yurko, Salvesen & Remz, P.C. One Washington Mall, Floor 11 Boston, MA 02108-2603 dws@bizlit.com (617) 723-6900