Tennessee · UPL
Unauthorized practice of law in Tennessee
If a notario, immigration consultant, disbarred attorney, or unlicensed 'legal service' took your money in Tennessee, 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 Tennessee
Governing statute: Tenn. Code Ann. § 23-3-103
Tennessee makes it a Class A misdemeanor to engage in the practice of law without a license, and a Class E felony on repeat offenses. The Board of Professional Responsibility investigates UPL.
Penalties in Tennessee
Class A misdemeanor (up to 11 months, 29 days and $2,500) for a first offense; Class E felony (1–6 years) for repeats.
Notarios and immigration consultants
Tennessee prohibits notaries from advertising legal or immigration services and from using 'notario' in any language under Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-16-303.
Common hotspots
We see the highest concentration of UPL victims in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Clarksville. 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 Tennessee lawyer
Before paying anyone who claims to be an attorney, look them up on Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility's official directory. If they aren't listed as active, they cannot legally represent you.
What you can recover in Tennessee
- A refund of every dollar you paid.
- Statutory damages under Tennessee's UPL and consumer-protection laws.
- Attorneys' fees in many cases — meaning it costs you nothing out of pocket.
- Referral to a licensed Tennessee attorney to try to fix the underlying case.
How to report
- File a complaint with Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility — most state bars have a dedicated UPL committee.
- File a consumer complaint with the Tennessee 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 Tennessee.
Related scam types
Frequently asked questions about UPL in Tennessee
Is a notario a lawyer in Tennessee?
No. In Tennessee, only an active member of Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility 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 Tennessee?
File a complaint with Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility and the Tennessee Attorney General's consumer protection division. You can also submit your case on this page for a free, confidential review with a licensed Tennessee attorney.
What are the penalties for unauthorized practice of law in Tennessee?
Class A misdemeanor (up to 11 months, 29 days and $2,500) for a first offense; Class E felony (1–6 years) for repeats.
Can I get my money back if a fake lawyer scammed me in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee 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 Tennessee attorney's license?
Search Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility's official public directory at https://www.tbpr.org/attorneys. If the person isn't listed as an active member, they cannot legally represent you in Tennessee.
Were you harmed by a fake lawyer?
Get a free, confidential case review. About a minute — no cost, no obligation.
Report a fake lawyer