FakeLawyerReport

Washington · Paralegals practicing law

Paralegals practicing law in Washington

If a non-lawyer took your money in Washington — under the guise of paralegals practicing law — Washington law is on your side. Here's how the claim works.

Reviewed July 2026 by the FakeLawyerReport editorial team

Why this is illegal in Washington

Paralegals must work under a licensed attorney. When one takes on clients directly or gives legal advice, it's UPL — even if they used to work at a real firm.

Washington's UPL statute: RCW 2.48.180; APR 12

Practicing law in Washington without a WSBA license is a crime, and the Washington Supreme Court's Practice of Law Board investigates UPL complaints and can refer for prosecution.

Penalties in Washington

First violation: gross misdemeanor (up to 364 days and $5,000). Subsequent or aggravated violations: Class C felony (up to 5 years).

What you can recover

  • A full refund of every dollar you paid.
  • Statutory or civil damages under Washington's consumer-protection laws.
  • Attorneys' fees in most cases — often no out-of-pocket cost.
  • Referral to a licensed Washington attorney to try to fix the underlying case.

How to report paralegals practicing law in Washington

  1. File with Washington State Bar Association — the state bar's UPL committee.
  2. File a consumer complaint with the Washington Attorney General.
  3. Submit your case on this site for a free confidential review with a licensed Washington attorney who handles UPL recovery.

Related resources

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