Unauthorized practice of law in Florida

The law in Florida

Governing statute: Fla. Stat. § 454.23; The Florida Bar UPL Rules (Ch. 10, R. Regulating Fla. Bar)

Practicing law in Florida without being a member of The Florida Bar is a third-degree felony. The Florida Bar's UPL Department can pursue injunctions, restitution, and criminal referrals.

Penalties in Florida

Third-degree felony — up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine, plus civil injunctions and restitution.

Notarios and immigration consultants

Florida notaries are prohibited from translating 'notary public' as 'notario público' or advertising immigration services unless separately authorized (Fla. Stat. § 117.05(11)).

Common hotspots

We see the highest concentration of UPL victims in Miami-Dade, Orlando, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, and Broward County. Scam operators often cluster near immigration offices, family courts, and low-income housing courts — anywhere people need legal help and can't easily afford a licensed attorney.

How to verify a Florida lawyer

Before paying anyone who claims to be an attorney, look them up on The Florida Bar's official directory. If they aren't listed as active, they cannot legally represent you.

What you can recover in Florida

• A refund of every dollar you paid.
• Statutory damages under Florida's UPL and consumer-protection laws.
• Attorneys' fees in many cases — meaning it costs you nothing out of pocket.
• Referral to a licensed Florida attorney to try to fix the underlying case.

How to report

1. File a complaint with The Florida Bar — most state bars have a dedicated UPL committee.
2. File a consumer complaint with the Florida Attorney General.
3. Submit your case on this site for a free, confidential review — we'll match you with a licensed attorney who handles UPL recovery in Florida.

Related scam types

• Notario fraud
• Immigration consultant scams
• Disbarred attorneys still 'practicing'
• Legal doc-prep mills