REVISED JUDICATURE ACT OF 1961
Act 236 of 1961
600.916 Unauthorized practice of law.
Sec. 916.
(1) A person shall not practice law or engage in the law business, shall not in any manner whatsoever lead others to believe that he or she is authorized to practice law or to engage in the law business, and shall not in any manner whatsoever represent or designate himself or herself as an attorney and counselor, attorney at law, or lawyer, unless the person is regularly licensed and authorized to practice law in this state. A person who violates this section is guilty of contempt of the supreme court and of the circuit court of the county in which the violation occurred, and upon conviction is punishable as provided by law. This section does not apply to a person who is duly licensed and authorized to practice law in another state while temporarily in this state and engaged in a particular matter.
(2) A domestic violence victim advocate's assistance that is provided in accordance with section 2950c does not violate this section.
(3) An application assistant's or victim advocate's assistance that is provided in accordance with the address confidentiality program act does not violate this section.
History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963 ;-- Am. 2000, Act 112, Eff. July 1, 2000 ;-- Am. 2020, Act 307, Eff. June 27, 2021
Notes of Decisions
Cited in
35
cases (
10 in the last 5 years), 1971–2025 · leading case:
Dressel v. Ameribank, 664 N.W.2d 151 (Mich. 2003).
Dressel v. Ameribank, 664 N.W.2d 151 (Mich. 2003).
· cites it 4× “[4] MCL 600.916 prohibits individuals, as opposed to corporations, from engaging in the unauthorized practice of law or the law business.”
Morris & Doherty, PC v. Lockwood, 672 N.W.2d 884 (Mich. Ct. App. 2003).
· cites it 7× “The fact that this only includes active members of the state bar is further supported by MCL 600.916(1), which provides: A person shall not practice law or engage in the law business, shall not in any manner whatsoever lead, others to believe that he or she is authorized to…”
State Bar v. Cramer, 249 N.W.2d 1 (Mich. 1976).
· cites it 8× “I May defendant constitutionally be enjoined from providing divorce forms, assisting in the completion *125 of these forms, and counseling persons seeking a no-fault divorce in Michigan on the grounds that she was engaged in the unauthorized practice of law, contrary to MCLA…”
Mcneill-marks v. Midmichigan Med. Ctr.-gratiot, 891 N.W.2d 528 (Mich. Ct. App. 2016).
“See MCL 600.916(1); see also Morris & Doherty, PC v Lockwood, 259 Mich App 38, 49 ; 672 NW2d 884 (2003) (“A person engaged *23 in the practice of law in Michigan must be an active member of the State Bar.”
State Bar of Mich. v. Galloway, 369 N.W.2d 839 (Mich. 1985).
· cites it 2× “Ill Assuming arguendo that appearances at mesc referee hearings would otherwise constitute the unauthorized practice of law 9 and be prohibited by MCL 600.916; MSA 27A.916 or MCL 450.681; MSA 21.”
Matter of Bright, 171 B.R. 799 (Bankr. E.D. Mich. 1994).
· cites it 2× “§ 600.916, Mich. StatAnno. § 27A.916 prohibits a non-lawyer from practicing law.”
People v. Bruinsma, 191 N.W.2d 108 (Mich. Ct. App. 1971).
· cites it 4× “946); MCLA § 600.916 (Stat Ann 1962 Rev § 27A.916); Johnson v.”
Grievance Adm'r v. Hibler, 577 N.W.2d 449 (Mich. 1998).
· cites it 4× “§ 600.916; M.S.A. § 27A.916. [3] In addition, the Grievance Administrator may proceed against a disbarred lawyer for contempt of court if the lawyer practices or attempts to practice law without seeking reinstatement, or after being denied reinstatement.”
Bolt v. City of Lansing, 561 N.W.2d 423 (Mich. Ct. App. 1997).
· cites it 2× “212(C) and is signed by a person who does not identify himself as an attorney, who is not listed in the State Bar of Michigan Directory as a licensed attorney, and who has supplied no State Bar number.”
In Re Pinkins, 213 B.R. 818 (Bankr. E.D. Mich. 1997).
· cites it 2× “§ 600.916 provides in pertinent part: It is unlawful for any person to practice law, or to engage in the law business, or in any manner whatsoever to lead others to believe that he is authorized to practice law or to engage in the law business, or in any manner whatsoever to…”
In Re Desilets, 247 B.R. 660 (Bankr. W.D. Mich. 2000).
· cites it 2× “Moreover, Rittenhouse may not avail himself of the out-of-state attorney’s “safety valve” contained in Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 600.916 because he is permanently and regularly practicing in Michigan, and not merely temporarily engaged in a particular, discrete matter in this…”
Shenkman v. Bragman, 682 N.W.2d 516 (Mich. Ct. App. 2004).
“MCL 600.916. The trial court did not err in so concluding.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.916(1) — 8 cases
Morris & Doherty, PC v. Lockwood, 672 N.W.2d 884 (Mich. Ct. App. 2003).
“The fact that this only includes active members of the state bar is further supported by MCL 600.916(1), which provides: A person shall not practice law or engage in the law business, shall not in any manner whatsoever lead, others to believe that he or she is authorized to…”
Mcneill-marks v. Midmichigan Med. Ctr.-gratiot, 891 N.W.2d 528 (Mich. Ct. App. 2016).
“See MCL 600.916(1); see also Morris & Doherty, PC v Lockwood, 259 Mich App 38, 49 ; 672 NW2d 884 (2003) (“A person engaged *23 in the practice of law in Michigan must be an active member of the State Bar.”
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