Maryland · UPL
Unauthorized practice of law in Maryland
If a notario, immigration consultant, disbarred attorney, or unlicensed 'legal service' took your money in Maryland, you have real remedies under state law. Here's how it works — and how to recover.
Reviewed July 2026 by the FakeLawyerReport editorial team
The law in Maryland
Governing statute: Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. §§ 10-101, 10-601 to -606
Maryland bars anyone not admitted to the Maryland Bar from practicing law or holding themselves out as authorized to do so. The AG's Consumer Protection Division regularly prosecutes immigration-related UPL.
Penalties in Maryland
Misdemeanor (up to 1 year and $5,000 for a first offense; up to 5 years and $10,000 for repeats), plus civil penalties.
Notarios and immigration consultants
Maryland's Immigration Consultant Act (Bus. Reg. § 17-401 et seq.) requires bonded registration and forbids non-lawyers from using 'notario' or giving legal advice.
Common hotspots
We see the highest concentration of UPL victims in Baltimore, Prince George's County, Montgomery County, Silver Spring, and Hyattsville. 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 Maryland lawyer
Before paying anyone who claims to be an attorney, look them up on Maryland Judiciary — Attorney Listing's official directory. If they aren't listed as active, they cannot legally represent you.
What you can recover in Maryland
- A refund of every dollar you paid.
- Statutory damages under Maryland's UPL and consumer-protection laws.
- Attorneys' fees in many cases — meaning it costs you nothing out of pocket.
- Referral to a licensed Maryland attorney to try to fix the underlying case.
How to report
- File a complaint with Maryland Judiciary — Attorney Listing — most state bars have a dedicated UPL committee.
- File a consumer complaint with the Maryland Attorney General.
- Submit your case on this site for a free, confidential review — we'll match you with a licensed attorney who handles UPL recovery in Maryland.
Related scam types
Frequently asked questions about UPL in Maryland
Is a notario a lawyer in Maryland?
No. In Maryland, only an active member of Maryland Judiciary — Attorney Listing may practice law. A notary public — even one who advertises as a 'notario' — cannot give legal advice, fill out immigration forms for you, or represent you.
How do I report a fake lawyer in Maryland?
File a complaint with Maryland Judiciary — Attorney Listing and the Maryland Attorney General's consumer protection division. You can also submit your case on this page for a free, confidential review with a licensed Maryland attorney.
What are the penalties for unauthorized practice of law in Maryland?
Misdemeanor (up to 1 year and $5,000 for a first offense; up to 5 years and $10,000 for repeats), plus civil penalties.
Can I get my money back if a fake lawyer scammed me in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland law allows victims of UPL to recover a full refund of what they paid, plus statutory or civil damages, and in many cases attorneys' fees — meaning it can cost you nothing out of pocket.
How do I verify a Maryland attorney's license?
Search Maryland Judiciary — Attorney Listing's official public directory at https://www.courts.state.md.us/attysearch. If the person isn't listed as an active member, they cannot legally represent you in Maryland.
Were you harmed by a fake lawyer?
Get a free, confidential case review. About a minute — no cost, no obligation.
Report a fake lawyer