the unauthorized practice of law in south carolina · licensed to practice law in this state or in...
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T H E U N A U T H O R I Z E D P R A C T I C E O F L A W I N S O U T H C A R O L I N A
© 2 0 1 9 B Y T H E S O U T H C A R O L I N A B A R . A L L R I G H T S R E S E R V E D
T H I S M A T E R I A L M A Y N O T B E R E P R O D U C E D I N W H O L E O R I N P A R T W I T H O U T T H E E X P R E S S W R I T T E N P E R M I S S I O N O F T H E S C B A R .
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SOUTHCAROLINACODE§40-5-310NopersonmayeitherpracticelaworsolicitthelegalcauseofanotherpersonorentityinthisStateunlessheisenrolledasamemberoftheSouthCarolinaBarpursuanttoapplicablecourtrules,orotherwiseauthorizedtoperformprescribedlegalactivitiesbyactionoftheSupremeCourtofSouthCarolina.ThetypeofconductthatisthesubjectofanychargefiledpursuanttothissectionmusthavebeendefinedastheunauthorizedpracticeoflawbytheSupremeCourtofSouthCarolinapriortoanychargebeingfiled.Apersonwhoviolatesthissectionisguiltyofafelonyand,uponconviction,mustbefinednotmorethanfivethousanddollarsorimprisonednotmorethanfiveyears,orboth.
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UNAUTHORIZEDPRACTICEOFLAW(UPL)
• ApersonwhoisnotanattorneylicensedtopracticeinSouthCarolinamaynotrenderaservicethatconstitutesthepracticeoflaw.
• UnlessyouareamemberoftheSouthCarolinaBarorotherwiseauthorizedtoperformprescribedlegalactivitiesbyactionoftheSouthCarolinaSupremeCourt,youareprohibitedfromthepracticeoflaw.
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CRIMINALLIABILITY• PursuanttoS.C.Code§40-5-310,apersonwhoengagesintheunauthorizedpracticeoflawisguiltyofafelonyand,uponconviction,mustbefinednotmorethan$5,000orimprisonednotmorethanfiveyears,orboth.
• Thisisthepenaltyperoffense.
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PUBLICPOLICYANDUPL• “Thestateprohibitstheunauthorizedpracticeoflawnotfortheeconomicprotectionofthelegalprofession,butrathertoprotectthepublicfromtheconsequencesoferroneousadvicefromthoseuntrainedinthelaw.”
StateofSouthCarolinavs.BuyersServiceCompany,Inc.,292SC426(S.C.1987)
• “Thegoaloftheprohibitionagainsttheunauthorizedpracticeoflawistoprotectthepublicfromincompetent,unethical,orirresponsiblerepresentation.”
RenaissanceEnterprises,Inc.v.SummitTeleservices,Inc.,334SC649(S.C.1999)5
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WHODEFINESUPL?• Statelawdoesnotsetforthalistofactivitiesthatconstitutetheunauthorizedpracticeoflaw.
• TheSouthCarolinaSupremeCourtdecidesonacasebycasebasiswhethertheconductatissuesisconsideredtheunauthorizedpracticeoflaw.
• Therefore,welooktoSupremeCourtcaselawtofindwhichactivitiesareprohibitedforindividualswhoarenotlicensedattorneys.
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WHATISTHEPRACTICEOFLAW?• Itisneitherpracticablenorwisetoattemptacomprehensivedefinitionbywayofasetofrules.Thebettercourseistodecidewhatisandwhatisnottheunauthorizedpracticeoflawinthecontextofanactualcaseorcontroversy.
InreUnauthorizedPracticeofLawRulesProposedbytheSCBar,309S.C.304,422S.E.2d123(1992)
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WHATISTHEPRACTICEOFLAW?• “preparationofpleadingsandotherpapersincidenttoactionsandspecialproceedings”• “themanagementofactionsandproceedingsonbehalfofclientsbeforejudgesandcourts”• “conveyancingandthepreparationoflegalinstrumentsofallkinds”• “alladvicetoclients,andallactiontakenfortheminmattersconnectedwiththelaw”• “actingprofessionallyinlegalformalities,negotiations,orproceedingsbythewarrantorauthorityoftheirclients”
InreDuncan,83S.C.186,189,65S.E.210(1909)
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ACTIVITIESTHATARETHEPRACTICEOFLAW
• Preparinglegaldocuments.• Presentinglegaldocumentsforexecution.• Givinglegaladviceoransweringlegalquestions.• Appearingincourtonbehalfofsomeoneelse.• Performingarealestateormortgageclosing.• Titlesearchandpreparingtitledocuments.• Settlementnegotiations.• Consumerdebtpooling.
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COMMONUPLACTORS• Paralegals•Notaries• Jailhouselawyers•HomeownersAssociations• Titlecompanies•Disbarred/suspendedlawyers•Out-of-Statelawyers• Unregisteredforeignlawyers•Onlineself-helplegalservices
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CASE EXAMPLES INVOLVING UPL-PARALEGALS
JohnDoe,aparalegalinalawfirm,wantedtoconducteducationalseminarsforthepublicrelatedtowillsandtrust.ThecourtalsoconsideredwhetheritwasUPLforaparalegaltomeetwithclientsprivatelytoanswergeneralquestionsaboutwills,trusts,andestateplanning.
• Courtfoundthatofferinglegalpresentationstothepublicandansweringestateplanningquestionsinlegalseminarsorprivateclientinterviewsconstitutesthepracticeoflaw.• Courtalsoreiteratedthataparalegal‘spreparatorytasksmustbedoneunderanattorney’ssupervisionandthatansweringlegalquestionsconstitutesUPL.
Doev.Condon,341S.C.22,532S.E.2d879(2000)
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CASE EXAMPLES INVOLVING UPL-PARALEGALS
Robinsonadvertisedhisservicesasaparalegalandhisbusinesscardandletterheadreferredtohimasa“paralegalconsultant.”Heperformedserviceswithoutattorneysupervision,solicitedclients,representedclientsincourt,andgavelegaladvice.
• TheCourtfoundRobinson’sadswereunlawfulsolicitations- thatitisunlawfulforsomeonenotanattorneytosolicitthecauseofanotherperson.• Evenifcourtappearanceisultimatelyauthorized,givingadvice,preparingpleadings,etc.priortoappearanceisnot.
Statev.Robinson,321S.C.286,468S.E.2d290(1996)
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CASE EXAMPLES INVOLVING UPLJAILHOUSE LAWYERSMcLauren assistedotherinmatesinpreparingPCRapplicationsandreferredtohimselfasa“jailhouselawyer.”
Statev.McLauren,349S.C.488(2002),563S.E.2d346
• TheCourtfoundthatthoughhedidnotreceivecompensationforhisservices,McLauren didnotobtainleaveofcourtbeforeprovidinglegalservicesand,therefore,itwastheunauthorizedpracticeoflaw.• Inaddition,theCourtemphasizeditmustexercisesounddiscretionwhethertoallowrepresentationofanotherpersonbyanonlawyer.
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CASE EXAMPLES INVOLVING UPL: HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONSPeckandhiscompany,CommunityManagementGroup,managedHOAs,enforcingcovenantsandrulesandcollectingassessments.Theyalsopreparedandrecordednoticeofalienandrelateddocuments,broughtanactioninmagistrate’scourt,andfiledthejudgementinthecircuitcourt.– Advertisementsindicateditcould“handlecollections,lienfilingandSmallClaimsCourtactionsinhouse”andthatitcouldfilejudgmentswithoutuseofanattorney.
RogersTownsend&Thomas,PCv.Peck,419S.C.240,797S.E.2d396(2017)
• TheCourtfoundthatthegroupengagedinUPLwhenitrepresentedassociationsinmagistrate’scourt,filedjudgmentsincircuitcourt,preparedandrecordedliens,andadvertisedthatitcouldprovidelegalservices.
• Inordertoappearforacompany,anonlawyer“agent”mustbeanofficer,employee,orsomeonewitha“nexusorconnection”withthecompany– NOTathirdparty.
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CASE EXAMPLES INVOLVING UPL-LEGAL SERVICES
Despain advertisedherbusinessunderthecategory“LegalServices”butdeniedthatshewasengagedinUPL.Shegavelegaladvicerelatedtofamilylawissuesandusedacomputersoftwareprogramtopreparelegaldocumentsforotherstopresentincourt.Despain alsomadecustomerssignanagreementtoabsolveherofliability.
Statev.Despain,319S.C.317,460S.E.2d576(1995)
• TheCourtfoundthatpreparationoflegaldocumentsisthepracticeoflawwhenitinvolvesthegivingofadvice,consultation,explanation,orrecommendationsonmattersoflaw.Itisalsothepracticeoflawtoinstructotherindividualsinhowtoprepareandexecutethosedocuments.
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CASE EXAMPLES INVOLVING UPL-TITLE COMPANYDefendantwasacommercialtitlecompanythatassistedpeopleinpurchasingrealestate.Theypreparedlegaldocumentsrelatedtosales,providedtitlesearches,conductedclosingswithoutanattorneypresent,andcarriedlegalinstrumentstothecourthouseforrecording.
Statev.BuyersServiceCo.,Inc.,292S.C.426,357S.E.2d15(1987)
• TheCourtheldthatitisUPLtoprovidereports,opinionsorcertificateastostatusoftitlestorealestateandmortgageliens,topreparedocumentsaffectingtitletorealproperty,tohandlerealestateandmortgageloanclosings,andtophysicallytransportormaildocumentswhenpartofrealestatetransfer.
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UPLANDREALESTATE
Theareathatseemstocreatethemostconfusionastowhatfallsunderthepracticeoflawisrealestate.
• TheSouthCarolinaSupremeCourthasheldthatanattorneymustconductallrealestateandmortgageloanclosings.
• However,anotarymaynotarizeloanmodificationdocumentswithoutanattorneypresentaslongasthenotarydoesnotprovidelegaladvice.
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ACTIVITIESTHATARENOTUPL
• State agencies may, by regulation, authorize people to appear and represent clients before the agency.
• CPAs may render professional assistance, including representation before agencies and the Probate Court, that is within their professional expertise and qualifications.
In re Unauthorized Practice of Law Rules Proposed by the SC Bar, 309 S.C. 304, 422 S.E.2d 123
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ACTIVITIESTHATARENOTUPL
InreUnauthorizedPracticeofLawRulesProposedbytheSCBar,309S.C.304,422S.E.2d123
• Businessesmayberepresentedbyanofficer,agent,oremployeeincivilmagistrate’scourtproceedings.–“Agent”cannotbeathirdparty– onlysomeonewitha“nexusorconnection”withthebusiness.–Writtenauthorizationfromthecompany’spresident,chair,etc.mustbeprovided.–Businessassumesriskofanyproblemsresultingfromtherepresentation.
RogersTownsend&Thomas,PCv.Peck,419S.C.240,797S.E.2d396(2017)
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ACTIVITIESTHATARENOTUPL• Policeofficersmayprosecutetrafficoffensesinmagistrate’scourtandmunicipalcourt.– Butonlythearrestingofficer(withassistanceofsupervisorifnecessary)
InreUnauthorizedPracticeofLawRulesProposedbytheSCBar,309S.C.304,422S.E.2d123
• Itispermissibleforprobationagentstopresentprobationrevocationcases.– Aprobationrevocationhearingisnotaformalcriminalproceeding.–Whenaprobationagentpresentsaprobationrevocationcase,theagentisactinginhisofficialcapacityandnotholdinghimselfouttothepublicasanattorney.
Statev.Barlow,372S.C.534,643S.E.2d682(2007)
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UPL-RELATEDISSUES
• Impersonatingalawyer
•Notario publico fraud
• Immigrationservices
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IMPERSONATINGALAWYERS.C.CodeofLaws§16-17-770(A)
Itisunlawfulforapersonotherthanalawyer,whoislicensedtopracticelawinthisStateorinanotherstateorjurisdictionintheUnitedStatesandnotdisbarredorsuspendedfromthepracticeoflawinanystateorjurisdiction,torepresenttoanypersonthatheisalawyerforthepurposeofsolicitingbusiness,obtaininganythingofvalue,orprovidinglegaladviceorassistance.
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IMPERSONATINGALAWYER-PENALTIES
(1)forafirstoffense,isguiltyofamisdemeanorand,uponconviction,mustbefinednotmorethanonethousanddollarsorimprisonedfornotmorethanoneyear,orboth;
(2)forasecondoffense,isguiltyofamisdemeanorand,uponconviction,mustbefinednotmorethantwothousandfivehundreddollarsorimprisonedfornotmorethanthreeyears,orboth;and
(3)forathirdorsubsequentoffense,isguiltyofafelonyand,uponconviction,mustbefinednotmorethanfivethousanddollarsorimprisonedfornotmorethanfiveyears,orboth.
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IMPERSONATINGALAWYER-RECENTCASE
• AmanposedasalawyerinColumbiaandthreatenedlegalactionagainstaChineserestaurant.• Healsoswindledpeopleontheinternetgettingup-frontfeestoassistthemwithlegalissues.– Ultimately,hepledguiltytowirefraud.– Hefacedsimilarlawyerimpersonationchargesinotherstateswhichweredismissedaspartofhisplea.
“PhonylawyerwhocheatedColumbiaChineserestaurant,bilkedwomengetsprison,”JohnMonk,TheState,2/5/2019,https://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article225542390.html
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NOTARIOPUBLICOFRAUD• Individualsrepresentthemselvesasattorneysorpersonsqualifiedtoprovidelegaladviceorservices.
• Theyvictimizemembersofimmigrantcommunitieswhoassociateadifferentmeaningto“Notario Publico.”
• BecausethistermhasadifferentmeaninginpartsofLatinAmerica,itmaybeconfusingtonon-Englishspeakers.
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NOTARIOPUBLICOFRAUD�Theseindividualsoftenalsoprovideserviceswhichconstitutetheunauthorizedpracticeoflaw.
� Inaddition,manyofthosewhoidentifythemselvesasnotarios publico arenotnotariespublicand,therefore,arenotauthorizedtoperformnotarialacts.
�PursuanttoS.C.Code§26-1-90,anotarycannotusetheterm“notario publico”inanyadvertisementsornotices. 26
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REGISTRATIONOFIMMIGRATIONASSISTANCESERVICE
• S.C.CodeofLaws§40-83-30permitspeopletoprovidelimitedimmigrationassistanceasoutlinedinthestatute.
• AnyoneprovidingtheseservicesmustobtainabusinesslicensefromLLR(andfromalocalgoverningauthoritywhererequired).
• Inaddition,anyoneprovidingapermittedservicemustpostthefollowinglanguage:"IAMNOTANATTORNEYLICENSEDTOPRACTICELAWANDMAYNOTGIVELEGALADVICEORACCEPTFEESFORLEGALADVICE."
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REGISTRATIONOFIMMIGRATIONASSISTANCESERVICE
Apersonofferingimmigrationassistancemaynot:
(1)acceptpaymentinexchangeforprovidinglegaladviceoranyotherassistancethatrequireslegalanalysis,legaljudgment,orinterpretationofthelaw;
(2)refusetoreturndocumentssuppliedby,preparedonbehalfof,orpaidforbythecustomerupontherequestofthecustomer.Thesedocumentsmustbereturneduponrequestevenifthereisafeedisputebetweentheimmigrationassistantandthecustomer;
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REGISTRATIONOFIMMIGRATIONASSISTANCESERVICE
Apersonofferingimmigrationassistancemaynot:(3)representoradvertise,inconnectionwithprovidingassistanceinimmigrationmatters,othertitlesorcredentials,including,butnotlimitedto,"notarypublic"or"immigrationconsultant",thatcouldcauseacustomertobelievethatthepersonpossessesspecialprofessionalskillsorisauthorizedtoprovideadviceonanimmigrationmatter,providedthatacertifiednotarypublicmayusetheterm"notarypublic"iftheuseisaccompaniedbythestatementthatthepersonisnotanattorney.Theterm"notarypublic"maynotbetranslatedintoanotherlanguage;
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REGISTRATIONOFIMMIGRATIONASSISTANCESERVICE
Apersonofferingimmigrationassistancemaynot:
(4)providelegaladvice,recommendaspecificcourseoflegalaction,orprovideanyotherassistancethatrequireslegalanalysis,legaljudgment,orinterpretationofthelaw;or
(5)makeanymisrepresentationorfalsestatement,directlyorindirectly,toinfluence,persuade,orinducepatronage.
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REGISTRATIONOFIMMIGRATIONASSISTANCESERVICE
• Violationsofthischaptermayresultinacivilpenaltyofupto$1,000.00perviolationandrevocationofthebusinesslicense.• Anyonewhoknowinglyandwillfullymakesafalse,fictitious,orfraudulentstatementorrepresentationinanydocumentaspartofprovidingimmigrationassistance(orwhoaidsorabetssomeonewhodoesorsolicitsorconspirestodoso)isguiltyofafelony.• Thepenaltyis:–Afineinthediscretionofthecourtor– Imprisonmentnotmorethan10yearsorboth–Disgorgingofanybenefitreceivedormakingrestitution
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UNAUTHORIZEDPRACTICEORMULTIJURISDICTIONALPRACTICE?
• Rule2(q),RLDE:Definitionof‘lawyer’
• Rule5.5,RPC:MultijurisdictionalPractice
• Rule418,SCACR:Advertising&Solicitationby‘unlicensed’lawyers
• Rule404,SCACR:ProHacViceAdmission
• Rule405,SCACR:LimitedCertificateofAdmissionforIn-HouseCounsel
SouthCarolinaJurisdictionOver‘Unlicensed’Lawyers
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UNAUTHORIZEDPRACTICEORMULTIJURISDICTIONALPRACTICE?EstablishesjurisdictionofODC,CLC,SupremeCourtforregulationoflawyersandenforcementofconductrules
Definitionof‘lawyer’includes:• AlawyernotadmittedinSCwhoprovidesorofferstoprovidelegalservicesinSC
• AlawyernotadmittedinSCwhoseadvertisementsorsolicitationsaresubjecttoRule418,SCACR
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UNAUTHORIZEDPRACTICEORMULTIJURISDICTIONALPRACTICE?
Rule5.5(b)ProhibitsUPL:
“A lawyer shall not practice law in ajurisdiction in violation of the regulation ofthe legal profession in that jurisdiction orassist another in doing so.”
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UNAUTHORIZEDPRACTICEORMULTIJURISDICTIONALPRACTICE?
Rule5.5(b)ProhibitsOut-of-StateLawyersfrom:
•establishing office or other systematic andcontinuous presence for the practice of lawin SC•holding out to the public or otherwiserepresenting that the lawyer is admitted topractice law in SC
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UNAUTHORIZEDPRACTICEORMULTIJURISDICTIONALPRACTICE?
However,underRule5.5(d),anout-of-statelawyerispermittedtoestablishanofficeorothersystematicandcontinuouspresenceinSouthCarolinaforthepurposeofprovidinglegalservicespermittedbyfederallaw.
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UNAUTHORIZEDPRACTICEORMULTIJURISDICTIONALPRACTICE?
However,underRule5.5(d),anout-of-statelawyerispermittedtoestablishanofficeorothersystematicandcontinuouspresenceinSouthCarolinaforthepurposeofprovidinglegalservicespermittedbyfederallaw.
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UNAUTHORIZEDPRACTICEORMULTIJURISDICTIONALPRACTICE?
•Presencemaybe“systematicandcontinuous”evenifthelawyerisnotphysicallypresentinSC•Nosingletesttodeterminewhetherservicesareprovidedona"temporarybasis"inSC•Servicesmaybe"temporary"evenifprovidedonarecurringbasis,orforanextendedperiodoftime(suchasasinglelengthynegotiationorlitigation)
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UNAUTHORIZEDPRACTICEORMULTIJURISDICTIONALPRACTICE?
Rule5.5(c),RPC,permitsunlicensedlawyerstoprovidelegalservicesona“temporarybasis”underfourcircumstances…
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UNAUTHORIZEDPRACTICEORMULTIJURISDICTIONALPRACTICE?• InassociationwithaSClawyerwhoactivelyparticipates;OR•Relatedtoapending/potentialproceedingwithPHVadmissionorreasonableexpectationofPHV;OR•ADRrelatedtorepresentationofanexistingclientinhomejurisdiction;OR•NotcourtorADR,butotherwiserelatedtothelawyer'srepresentationofexistingclientinhomejurisdiction.
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UPLRESOURCESSouthCarolinaBarUPLCommittee950TaylorStreetColumbia,SC29201803-799-6653www.scbar.org
SCAttorneyGeneral’sOfficeP.O.Box11549Columbia,SC29211803-734-3970www.scag.gov
SCDept.ofLabor,Licensing&Regulation110Centerview DriveColumbia,SC29210803-896-4300www.llr.state.sc.us
SCDept.ofConsumerAffairs2221DevineStreet,SecondFloorP.O.Box5757Columbia,SC29250803-734-4200www.scconsumer.gov
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T H E U N A U T H O R I Z E D P R A C T I C E O F L AW I N S O U T H C A R O L I N A© 2 0 1 9 B Y T H E S O U T H C A R O L I N A B A R . A L L R I G H T S R E S E R V E D
T H I S M AT E R I A L M A Y N O T B E R E P R O D U C E D I N W H O L E O R I N P A R T W I T H O U T T H E E X P R E S S W R I T T E N P E R M I S S I O N O F T H E S C B A R .