Unauthorized practice of law in Georgia

The law in Georgia

Governing statute: O.C.G.A. § 15-19-51 to -58

Georgia makes UPL a misdemeanor and empowers the State Bar to seek injunctions and civil penalties. Notaries are separately prohibited from providing legal advice or immigration services.

Penalties in Georgia

Misdemeanor (up to 1 year and $1,000); civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation.

Notarios and immigration consultants

Metro Atlanta has seen a surge in notario and immigration-consultant enforcement actions over the past several years.

Common hotspots

We see the highest concentration of UPL victims in Atlanta metro, Gwinnett County, Savannah, Augusta, and Columbus. 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 Georgia lawyer

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

What you can recover in Georgia

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

How to report

1. File a complaint with State Bar of Georgia — most state bars have a dedicated UPL committee.
2. File a consumer complaint with the Georgia 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 Georgia.

Related scam types

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