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December 12, 2012
GOVERNOR ACTS TO PROTECT NEW YORKERS FROM
THOSE IMPERSONATING ATTORNEYS
New York State Bar Association President Seymour W.
James Jr. today praised the state Legislature and Governor Andrew Cuomo
for enacting legislation to protect individuals from dishonest persons
who falsely represent themselves as lawyers.
"When New Yorkers have legal problems, they deserve a real attorney.
Unscrupulous individuals pretending to be lawyers often prey on
immigrants and the poor. The consequences of their bad advice can be
life altering for their victims, resulting in jail time, loss of child
custody, deportation and financial hardship," said James (The Legal Aid
Society in New York City).
Under existing New York law, it is a misdemeanor to impersonate a
lawyer, even if a victim is seriously harmed. In contrast, it is a
felony to impersonate a doctor, dentist, veterinarian, social worker,
accountant, landscape architect, court stenographer or many other
licensed professionals.
The new measure toughens the law to protect innocent New Yorkers
against predators who fraudulently hold themselves out to be lawyers. It
makes it a Class E felony for anyone who does this to cause another
person to suffer monetary loss exceeding $1,000 or material damage
resulting in the impairment of a legal right.
The legislation incorporated language developed by the State Bar
Association and approved by its Executive Committee earlier this
year.
The new law, signed by the Governor today, takes effect November 1,
2013.
"The Legislature and Governor rightly recognize the potential damage
that people impersonating lawyers can cause their victims," James
said.
The 77,000-member New York State Bar Association is the largest
voluntary state bar association in the country. It was founded in
1876.
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