Mass. Gen. Laws » Part III Title I Chapter 221
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 221, § 46A (2026)

Practice of law; persons authorized

✓ current as of July 2026
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Section 46A. No individual, other than a member, in good standing, of the bar of this commonwealth shall practice law, or, by word, sign, letter, advertisement or otherwise, hold himself out as authorized, entitled, competent, qualified or able to practice law; provided, that a member of the bar, in good standing, of any other state may appear, by permission of the court, as attorney or counselor, in any case pending therein, if such other state grants like privileges to members of the bar, in good standing, of this commonwealth.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 26 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1960–2026 · leading case: Martinez v. Lynn Hous. Auth., 119 N.E.3d 312 (Mass. App. Ct. 2019).
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Martinez v. Lynn Hous. Auth., 119 N.E.3d 312 (Mass. App. Ct. 2019). “Because Rega notified the Land Court that she had petitioned for bankruptcy, the contempt trial went forward without her, and the complaint was stayed with respect to her.”
Superadio Ltd. P'ship v. Winstar Radio Prods., LLC, 844 N.E.2d 246 (Mass. 2006). “This rule is supplemented by G. L. c. 221, § 46A, which provides: “No individual, other than a member, in good standing, of the bar of this commonwealth shall practice law, or, by word, sign, letter, advertisement or otherwise, hold himself out as authorized, entitled,…”
Real Est. Bar Ass'n for Massachusetts, Inc. v. Nat'l Real Est. Info. Servs., 608 F.3d 110 (1st Cir. 2010). “The counterclaim sought (1) declaratory judgment that Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 221, § 46A, “if interpreted against NREIS as plaintiff contends, violates the Dormant Commerce Clause of the U.”
Laubinger v. Dep't of Revenue, 672 N.E.2d 554 (Mass. App. Ct. 1996). · cites it 2× “See G. L. c. 221, § 46A. Compare and contrast G.”
DiLuzio v. United Elec., Radio & Mach. Workers of Am., 461 N.E.2d 766 (Mass. 1984). · cites it 5× “To resolve the plaintiff’s arguments, we first consider the application of G. L. c. 221, § 46A, to this case. This section provides that “a member of the bar, in good standing, of any other state may appear, by permission of the court, as attorney or counselor, in any case…”
Hannigan v. Marshall (In Re Bonarrigo), 282 B.R. 101 (D. Mass. 2002). “” Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 221, § 46A. 7 . The bankruptcy court acknowledged that the appellants had already been fined for violating this provision in connection with the Bonarrigo filing when Judge Feeney granted summary judgment on this claim prior to the trial.”
Pcg Trading, LLC v. Seyfarth Shaw, LLP, 951 N.E.2d 315 (Mass. 2011). · cites it 2× ““[A] member of the bar, in good standing, of any other state may appear, by permission of the court, as attorney or counselor, in any case pending therein, if such other state grants like privileges to members of the bar, in good standing, of this commonwealth.”
Burnham v. Justices of the Superior Court, 792 N.E.2d 987 (Mass. 2003). “221, § 41 (establishing criminal penalties for unauthorized practice of law); G. L. c. 221, § 46A (only licensed attorney in good standing shall practice law).”
Meschi v. Iverson, 805 N.E.2d 72 (Mass. App. Ct. 2004). “] Ryan chose to skate” to the line of the Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct in attempting to engage Loretta in conversation despite knowing that she was represented by counsel.”
Massachusetts Soc'y of Optometrists v. Waddick, 165 N.E.2d 394 (Mass. 1960). “Their justification, similarly to that for the statute limiting the right to practise law to members of the bar (G. L. c. 221, § 46A), is not in the protection of the registrants from competition, but in the protection of the public from being advised and represented by…”
Goldblatt v. Corp. Couns. of Boston, 277 N.E.2d 273 (Mass. 1971). “See G. L. c. 221, § 46A, inserted by St. 1935, c.”
Costa v. Liberty Mut. Ins., 558 N.E.2d 999 (Mass. App. Ct. 1990). “See G. L. c. 221, § 46A. We, therefore, conclude that Liberty had no duty to apprise Costa of the possibilities of a § 15 claim against the manufacturer of the machine.”
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