Texas · Disbarred attorneys still 'practicing'
Disbarred attorneys still 'practicing' in Texas
If a non-lawyer took your money in Texas — under the guise of disbarred attorneys still 'practicing' — Texas law is on your side. Here's how the claim works.
Reviewed July 2026 by the FakeLawyerReport editorial team
Why this is illegal in Texas
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.
Texas's UPL statute: Tex. Gov't Code § 81.101; Tex. Penal Code § 38.123
Texas defines the practice of law broadly and makes falsely holding yourself out as a lawyer a criminal offense. The Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee (UPLC), appointed by the Texas Supreme Court, investigates and can sue for injunctions and restitution.
Penalties in Texas
Class A misdemeanor (up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine); state jail felony on a repeat offense.
What you can recover
- A full refund of every dollar you paid.
- Statutory or civil damages under Texas's consumer-protection laws.
- Attorneys' fees in most cases — often no out-of-pocket cost.
- Referral to a licensed Texas attorney to try to fix the underlying case.
How to report disbarred attorneys still 'practicing' in Texas
- File with State Bar of Texas — the state bar's UPL committee.
- File a consumer complaint with the Texas Attorney General.
- Submit your case on this site for a free confidential review with a licensed Texas attorney who handles UPL recovery.
Related resources
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