Tax Recovery Could Be Unauthorized Practice: Fla. High Court

A nonlawyer and his company engaged in the unlicensed practice of law in helping a client recover surplus proceeds from a tax sale, provided the allegations were true, the Florida Supreme Court said in approving an advisory opinion.

A representative of an asset recovery company approached a potential client about recovering the surplus proceeds for a 40 percent fee. The client agreed and recovery efforts proceeded until the client objected, claiming the company and its representative engaged in the unlicensed practice of law. The Florida Bar’s Standing Committee on the Unlicensed Practice of Law issued a proposed advisory opinion concluding ...