# Is it illegal to impersonate a lawyer if you are representing yourself? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 13, 2009, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-impersonate-a-lawyer-if-you-are-representing-yourself/509922 "2009-09-13T16:47:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-impersonate-a-lawyer-if-you-are-representing-yourself/509922/21 "2009-09-14T16:43:34Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Sometimes, incompetence is no bar. 😃 But of course. **pulykamell** , I’d say a fake cc: is certainly deceptive but not illegal. I’m not familiar with any bar complaint or UPL case in which that’s been an issue. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-impersonate-a-lawyer-if-you-are-representing-yourself/509922/22 "2009-09-14T16:50:48Z")
The fake carbon copy line seems kind of pointless. If you’ve already engaged counsel, you get _them_ to send the letter. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-impersonate-a-lawyer-if-you-are-representing-yourself/509922/23 "2009-09-14T17:39:53Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > But of course. > > **pulykamell** , I’d say a fake cc: is certainly deceptive but not illegal. I’m not familiar with any bar complaint or UPL case in which that’s been an issue. I agree with two exceptions. First Kimmy’s point about the FDCPA may cover that sort of thing in consumer collection cases. If it’s a letter you are sending to a business, the FDCPA generally does not apply, but if you’re trying to collect from a consumer, it might. Second, I think it might be unethical for a lawyer to do it, at least under some circumstances. I’ve had clients ask me to include fake cc’s in letters I’m sending, and I usually refuse to do it on “appearance of impropriety” grounds. I’ve never seen anybody actually get in trouble for it, but I don’t want to be the guy whose name is on the leading case, either. I also think it’s generally an ineffective tactic, but that’s another story. ETA: Hi **Campion**! ---
**Author:** ![Phoenix407](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Phoenix407](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phoenix407)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-impersonate-a-lawyer-if-you-are-representing-yourself/509922/24 "2011-05-20T20:52:40Z")
I may know someone who is doing this. How would I go about turning them in? I live in another state from them. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-impersonate-a-lawyer-if-you-are-representing-yourself/509922/25 "2011-05-20T21:32:06Z")
Me have law degree. But never call self lawyer. Bad mojo. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-impersonate-a-lawyer-if-you-are-representing-yourself/509922/26 "2011-05-20T21:48:40Z")
Me have law degree too. Me pass bar. Me no join bar. Me still have trouble explaining to me-in-laws why me no help with law problems. Me have MPRE nightmares. Good mojitos. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-impersonate-a-lawyer-if-you-are-representing-yourself/509922/27 "2011-05-20T21:49:42Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > As a matter of language usage, a lawyer is a person familiar with and studies law. I quibble with this definition. It might be true of some informal uses of the word “lawyer.” > [@Gfactor](#): > > That’s a great point. > > Here’s my state’s unauthorized practice statute: … but Gfactor’s citation from Michigan law would seem to support the assertion that a “lawyer” is someone who is qualified and authorized to practice law in Michigan (license, member of the bar, etc.), not just someone who has studied law. And I suspect that many if not most state laws would be similar to this. ---
**Author:** ![dr\_sn0w](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac8455/32.png) [@dr\_sn0w](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dr_sn0w)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-impersonate-a-lawyer-if-you-are-representing-yourself/509922/28 "2015-03-18T18:11:54Z")
I would sue him civilly for harassment, report him for UPL, and have him criminally prosecuted. I originally thought he was saying he was responding to a collection agency until I realized he WAS the collection agency. Good job for banning him. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-impersonate-a-lawyer-if-you-are-representing-yourself/509922/29 "2015-03-18T18:27:18Z")
> [@dr\_sn0w](#): > > I would sue him civilly for harassment, report him for UPL, and have him criminally prosecuted. > > I originally thought he was saying he was responding to a collection agency until I realized he WAS the collection agency. > > Good job for banning him. Thread reported for closure. It’s a five-year old zombie by an OP that’s been banned probably two years. And TBH, heaping your condemnation on the OP isn’t particularly enlightening or value-added in a General Questions thread. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-impersonate-a-lawyer-if-you-are-representing-yourself/509922/30 "2015-03-18T18:56:37Z")
**Moderator Action** Since the OP has been banned it is probably best just to close this. Thread closed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-impersonate-a-lawyer-if-you-are-representing-yourself/509922.md?page=1)