Second Circuit Questions Allowing Debt Counseling by Non-Lawyers

Second Circuit judges Wednesday were skeptical of a district court decision allowing non-lawyers to give legal advice to low-income New Yorkers in debt collection actions.

“The fact of the matter is the district court applied the wrong standard,” Judge Richard J. Sullivan, of the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, said.

New York Attorney General Letitia James is appealing a district court order enjoining the state from enforcing New York’s unauthorized practice of law rules against nonprofit Upsolve and a Bronx minister seeking to work with the financial education nonprofit. Upsolve is asking the appeals court to uphold ...