Minnesota · Disbarred attorneys still 'practicing'
Disbarred attorneys still 'practicing' in Minnesota
If a non-lawyer took your money in Minnesota — under the guise of disbarred attorneys still 'practicing' — Minnesota law is on your side. Here's how the claim works.
Reviewed July 2026 by the FakeLawyerReport editorial team
Why this is illegal in Minnesota
A disbarred or suspended lawyer who takes new clients is committing UPL. Courts treat these cases harshly and clients can recover full fees plus punitive damages.
Minnesota's UPL statute: Minn. Stat. § 481.02
Minnesota broadly defines UPL and makes a first violation a misdemeanor and a repeat violation a gross misdemeanor. The AG and Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board pursue enforcement.
Penalties in Minnesota
Misdemeanor (up to 90 days and $1,000); gross misdemeanor on repeat (up to 364 days and $3,000), plus civil penalties.
What you can recover
- A full refund of every dollar you paid.
- Statutory or civil damages under Minnesota's consumer-protection laws.
- Attorneys' fees in most cases — often no out-of-pocket cost.
- Referral to a licensed Minnesota attorney to try to fix the underlying case.
How to report disbarred attorneys still 'practicing' in Minnesota
- File with Minnesota Attorney Registration — the state bar's UPL committee.
- File a consumer complaint with the Minnesota Attorney General.
- Submit your case on this site for a free confidential review with a licensed Minnesota attorney who handles UPL recovery.
Related resources
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