Q: do I need a license to practice law? If not, under equal protection, as PRIVATE COUNSEL, am i entitled to a free listing
A: LOL. 1. Yes, you need a license to practice law. 2. Justia is a business. You aren't entitled to anything from it, whether you are an attorney or not. Extremely doubtful Justia will provide a listing to a non-attorney as that would lead to potentially significant liability for it in the event that someone actually relied upon your non-attorney advice and suffered damage to their legal interests as a result.
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A:
In California, practicing law requires you to obtain a license from the State Bar of California. This ensures that you meet the necessary education, examination, and ethical standards to provide legal services. Without this license, you cannot legally offer legal advice or represent clients in legal matters.
Even if you consider yourself private counsel, the law mandates that only licensed attorneys can practice law. Attempting to provide legal services without a license can lead to legal consequences, including fines and other penalties. The equal protection clause does not exempt you from these licensing requirements.
Regarding free listings, being entitled to one as private counsel without a license is not supported under current regulations. Directories and professional listings typically require verification of your licensed status to ensure clients receive legitimate legal assistance. It’s important to comply with these requirements to maintain the integrity of legal services in California.
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