Ark. Code Ann. » Title 16 Chapter 22
Arkansas Code Annotated

Ark. Code Ann. § 16-22-209 (2026)

Practicing without license — Contempt of court

✓ current as of May 2026
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Every person who shall attempt to practice law in any court of record without being licensed, sworn, and registered, as required in this subchapter, shall be deemed guilty of a contempt of court and shall be punished as in other cases of contempt.

History. Rev. Stat., ch. 15, § 7; C. & M. Dig., § 601; Pope's Dig., § 641; A.S.A. 1947, § 25-106.

Research References

ALR.

What constitutes unauthorized practice of law by paralegal. 109 A.L.R.5th 275.

Unauthorized Practice of Law as Contempt. 40 A.L.R.6th 463.

Case Notes

Admission Pro Hac Vice.

Where appellants' attorneys, who were licensed in Oklahoma but not in Arkansas, filed appellants' medical malpractice complaint on the last day of the limitations period but did not file motions for admission pro hac vice until eight months later, the trial court properly dismissed the complaint; since Ark. R. Admis. Bar. XIV required that the pro hac vice motions be filed before the attorneys practiced law in Arkansas, the complaint was a nullity and, thus, no valid complaint was filed within the limitations period. Preston v. Univ. of Ark. for Med. Sciences, 354 Ark. 666, 128 S.W.3d 430 (2003).

Real Estate Brokers.

For a discussion of the unlawful practice of law by real estate brokers, see Ark. Bar Ass'n v. Block, 230 Ark. 430, 323 S.W.2d 912, cert. denied, 361 U.S. 836, 80 S. Ct. 87 (1959), overruled in part, Creekmore v. Izard, 236 Ark. 558, 367 S.W.2d 419 (1963).

Scope of License.

Every attorney regularly licensed and duly admitted to practice in the courts of this state possesses a license to appear in those courts for any suitors who may retain him; but his license is not of itself an authority to appear for any particular person until he is in fact employed or retained by him. Cartwell v. Menifee, 2 Ark. 356 (1840).

Cited: Tally v. Reynolds, 1 Ark. 99 (1838); Conway County v. Little Rock & F.S. Ry., 39 Ark. 50 (1882); Visart v. Bush, 46 Ark. 153 (1885); Concrete Wallsystems of Ark., Inc. v. Master Paint Indus. Coating Corp., 95 Ark. App. 21, 233 S.W.3d 157 (2006); Clarendon Am. Ins. Co. v. Hickok, 370 Ark. 41, 257 S.W.3d 43 (2007).

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases, 1999–2007 · leading case: Am. Abstract & Title Co. v. Rice, 186 S.W.3d 705 (Ark. 2004).
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Am. Abstract & Title Co. v. Rice, 186 S.W.3d 705 (Ark. 2004). · cites it 4× “I think it is untenable to reach any conclusion other than the following: The trial court lacks subject-matter jurisdiction to define and regulate the unauthorized practice of law or to proceed with a class action based upon a complaint relating to the unauthorized practice of…”
Preston v. Univ. of Arkansas for Med. Sciences, 128 S.W.3d 430 (Ark. 2003). · cites it 4× “” Ark. Code Ann. § 16-22-209 (Repl. 1999). In Abel v.”
Clarendon Am. Ins. v. Hickok, 257 S.W.3d 43 (Ark. 2007). · cites it 2× “” Ark. Code Ann. § 16-22-209 (Repl. 1999). An attorney licensed to practice law in another state, however, can practice law in Arkansas, for a limited period, if he or she complies with Rule XIV of the Arkansas Rules Governing Admission to the Bar.”
Roma Leathers, Inc. v. Ramey, 2 S.W.3d 82 (Ark. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 2× “Ark. Code Ann. § 16-22-206 (Repl. 1994). An individual who attempts to practice law without being properly licensed shall be deemed guilty of contempt of court and shall be punished as in other cases of contempt.”
Concrete Wallsystems of Arkansas, Inc. v. Master Paint Indus. Coating Corp., 233 S.W.3d 157 (Ark. Ct. App. 2006). · cites it 2× “See Ark. Code Ann. § 16-22-209 (Repl. 1999), which provides that every person who shall attempt to practice law without being licensed shall be deemed guilty of contempt and punished accordingly.”
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