New York · Disbarred attorneys still 'practicing'
Disbarred attorneys still 'practicing' in New York
If a non-lawyer took your money in New York — under the guise of disbarred attorneys still 'practicing' — New York law is on your side. Here's how the claim works.
Reviewed July 2026 by the FakeLawyerReport editorial team
Why this is illegal in New York
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.
New York's UPL statute: N.Y. Judiciary Law §§ 478, 484, 485; N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 460-a et seq.
New York makes unauthorized practice a misdemeanor and separately regulates 'Immigration Assistance Services' — non-lawyers who help with immigration paperwork must post disclaimers, use written contracts, and cannot give legal advice.
Penalties in New York
Misdemeanor (up to 1 year); repeat or aggravated conduct is a Class E felony (up to 4 years). Civil penalties up to $7,500 per violation under GBL § 460-g.
What you can recover
- A full refund of every dollar you paid.
- Statutory or civil damages under New York's consumer-protection laws.
- Attorneys' fees in most cases — often no out-of-pocket cost.
- Referral to a licensed New York attorney to try to fix the underlying case.
How to report disbarred attorneys still 'practicing' in New York
- File with New York State Unified Court System — Attorney Registration — the state bar's UPL committee.
- File a consumer complaint with the New York Attorney General.
- Submit your case on this site for a free confidential review with a licensed New York attorney who handles UPL recovery.
Related resources
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