National Non Attorney Court Agents Introduction:

Nonlawyer advocates (also called "lay advocates") are persons who provide legal services under limited circumstances without a license to practice law. The scope of representation that nonlawyer advocates can provide varies by state, and is generally linked to one of two public policy factors: (1) assistance in generally routine and informal administrative matters, and (2) service to populations with limited access to justice through attorneys.

For example, in some states nonlawyer representatives are permitted to represent parties in workers compensation and unemployment compensation cases. In Wisconsin, there is an innovative program where attorneys assist nonlawyers in representing the elderly in benefits cases. Some states allow nonlawyers to appear in small claims court or landlord-tenant court in certain circumstances, and other states allow lay advocates a limited role in domestic violence or child advocacy matters.

The use of lay advocates is extremely limited in general, partly out of concerns for the economic franchise of attorneys and partly out of legitimate concerns for protection of clients. For example, measures are in place in every state to make sure attorneys keep client confidences secret, and safeguard the property of their clients. Nonlawyers are also generally prohibited from recovering attorney fees from an opposing party in a legal proceeding, and are prohibited from forming a partnership with an attorney for the practice of law or sharing fees for legal services with an attorney.

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