N.Y. Judiciary Law Section 476-A
Action for unlawful practice of the law


1.

The attorney-general may maintain an action upon his or her own information or upon the complaint of a private person or of a bar association organized and existing under the laws of this state against any person, partnership, corporation, or association, and any employee, agent, director, or officer thereof who commits any act or engages in any conduct prohibited by law as constituting the unlawful practice of the law. The term “action” as used in this subdivision shall be construed to include both civil actions and criminal actions. The term “unlawful practice of the law” as used in this article shall include, but is not limited to, (a) any act prohibited by penal law sections two hundred seventy, two hundred seventy-a, two hundred seventy-e, two hundred seventy-one, two hundred seventy-five, two hundred seventy-five-a, two hundred seventy-six, two hundred eighty or fourteen hundred fifty-two, or

(b)

any other act forbidden by law to be done by any person not regularly licensed and admitted to practice law in this state, or

(c)

any act punishable by the supreme court as a criminal contempt of court under section seven hundred fifty-B of this chapter.

2.

Such a civil action may also be maintained by a bar association organized and existing under the laws of the state of New York, upon an application to the supreme court of the state of New York, or a justice thereof, for leave to bring the same by such bar association on good cause shown therefor and proof that a written request was made upon the attorney-general to bring such an action and that more than twenty days have elapsed since the making of such request and he or she has failed or refused to bring such an action.

Source: Section 476-A — Action for unlawful practice of the law, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/JUD/476-A (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Mar. 16, 2024).

460
Examination and admission of attorneys
460–B
Applications for special arrangements
461
Compensation of state board of law examiners
462
Annual account by state board of law examiners
463
Times and places of examinations
464
Certification by state board of successful candidates
465
Fee for examinations and for credential review for admission on motion
466
Attorney’s oath of office
467
Registration of attorneys
468
Official registration of attorneys to be kept by the chief administrator of the courts
468–A
Biennial registration of attorneys
468–B
Clients’ security fund of the state of New York
469
Continuance where attorney is member of legislature
470
Attorneys having offices in this state may reside in adjoining state
471
Attorney who is judge’s partner or clerk prohibited from practicing before him or in his court
472
Attorney who is surrogate’s parent or child prohibited from practicing berfore him
473
Constables, coroners, criers and attendants prohibited from practicing during term of office
474
Compensation of attorney or counsellor
474–A
Contingent fees for attorneys in claims or actions for medical, dental or podiatric malpractice
474–B
Attorney retainer statements
475
Attorney’s lien in action, special or other proceeding
475–A
Notice of lien
476
Action against attorney for lending his name in suits and against person using name
476–A
Action for unlawful practice of the law
476–B
Injunction to restrain defendant from unlawful practice of the law
476–C
Investigation by the attorney-general
477
Settlement of actions for personal injury
478
Practicing or appearing as attorney-at-law without being admitted and registered
479
Soliciting business on behalf of an attorney
480
Entering hospital to negotiate settlement or obtain release or statement
481
Aiding, assisting or abetting the solicitation of persons or the procurement of a retainer for or on behalf of an attorney
482
Employment by attorney of person to aid, assist or abet in the solicitation of business or the procurement through solicitation of a reta...
483
Signs advertising services as attorney at law
484
None but attorneys to practice in the state
485
Violation of certain preceding sections a misdemeanor
485–A
Violation of certain sections a class E felony
486
Practice of law by attorney who has been disbarred, suspended, or convicted of a felony
486–A
Conviction for felony of person who is an attorney and counselor at law
487
Misconduct by attorneys
488
Buying demands on which to bring an action
489
Purchase of claims by corporations or collection agencies
490
Limitation
491
Sharing of compensation by attorneys prohibited
492
Use of attorney’s name by another
493
Attorneys forbidden to defend criminal prosecutions carried on by their partners, or formerly by themselves
494
Attorneys may defend themselves
495
Corporations and voluntary associations not to practice law
496
An organization described in subdivision seven of section four hundred ninety-five of this article shall file with the appellate division...
497
Attorneys fiduciary funds
498
Professional referrals
499
Lawyer assistance committees

Accessed:
Mar. 16, 2024

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 476-A’s source at nysenate​.gov

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