{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/54.1-3904.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/54.1-3904.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/54.1-3904.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/54.1-3904.html"}],"law_id":368920,"edition_id":2,"section_id":368920,"structure_id":52566,"section_number":"54.1-3904","catch_line":"Penalty for practicing without authority","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 54-44; 1988, c. 765; 1994, c. 441.","full_text":"Any person who practices law without being authorized or licensed shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A collection agency may refer debts to an attorney for collection with the creditor’s approval of the referral and the fee arrangement and shall not be deemed to be engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. An attorney is permitted by the creditor’s authorization to enter into such representation agreements.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1375700,"text":"Any person who practices law without being authorized or licensed shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A collection agency may refer debts to an attorney for collection with the creditor’s approval of the referral and the fee arrangement and shall not be deemed to be engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. An attorney is permitted by the creditor’s authorization to enter into such representation agreements.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":52566,"edition_id":2,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":52565,"metadata":{"child_laws":11,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:01:07","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:18","permalink":{"id":1471231,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52566,"identifier":"1","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1","url":"\/54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52565,"edition_id":2,"name":"Attorneys","identifier":"39","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":52564,"metadata":{"child_laws":55,"child_structures":7},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:01:07","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:18","permalink":{"id":1471229,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52565,"identifier":"39","token":"54.1\/IV\/39","url":"\/54.1\/IV\/39\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52564,"edition_id":2,"name":"Professions Regulated by the Supreme Court","identifier":"IV","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":4,"parent_id":52436,"metadata":{"child_laws":55,"child_structures":8},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:01:07","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:18","permalink":{"id":1471227,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52564,"identifier":"IV","token":"54.1\/IV","url":"\/54.1\/IV\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52436,"edition_id":2,"name":"Professions and Occupations","identifier":"54.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":118,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":1282,"child_structures":163},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:58:52","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:51","permalink":{"id":1466315,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52436,"identifier":"54.1","token":"54.1","url":"\/54.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":368916,"structure_id":52566,"section_number":"54.1-3900","catch_line":"Practice of law; student internship program; definition","url":"\/54.1-3900\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3900","metadata":false},{"id":368914,"structure_id":52566,"section_number":"54.1-3900.01","catch_line":"Protection of client interests; appointment of receiver for practice of a disabled, impaired, absent, deceased, suspended or disbarred attorney","url":"\/54.1-3900.01\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3900.01","metadata":false},{"id":368915,"structure_id":52566,"section_number":"54.1-3900.02","catch_line":"Disclosure of services provided by the Department of Veterans Services","url":"\/54.1-3900.02\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3900.02","metadata":false},{"id":368917,"structure_id":52566,"section_number":"54.1-3901","catch_line":"Practice of patent law","url":"\/54.1-3901\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3901","metadata":false},{"id":368918,"structure_id":52566,"section_number":"54.1-3902","catch_line":"Professional corporations; professional limited liability companies; and registered limited liability partnerships","url":"\/54.1-3902\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3902","metadata":false},{"id":368919,"structure_id":52566,"section_number":"54.1-3903","catch_line":"Oath; qualification; proof of licensure or authorization","url":"\/54.1-3903\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3903","metadata":false},{"id":368920,"structure_id":52566,"section_number":"54.1-3904","catch_line":"Penalty for practicing without authority","url":"\/54.1-3904\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3904","metadata":false},{"id":368921,"structure_id":52566,"section_number":"54.1-3905","catch_line":"Furnishing advice and services for compensation in connection with certain debt-pooling plans deemed practicing law","url":"\/54.1-3905\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3905","metadata":false},{"id":368922,"structure_id":52566,"section_number":"54.1-3906","catch_line":"Liability to client","url":"\/54.1-3906\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3906","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":" .\u202f.\u202f. Thorsen v. Richmond Soc'y for the Prevention of Cruelty to .\u202f.\u202f. ","case_number":"Record 150528","citation":"786 S.E.2d 453","date":"2016-06-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/3208959\/thorsen-v-richmond-socy-for-the-prevention-of-cruelty-to-animals\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. JUSTICE McCLANAHAN, dissenting. .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"Melissa Trent v. Onderlaw, LLC, d\/b\/a The Onder Law Firm","case_number":"0810234","citation":null,"date":"2024-06-25","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/9820546\/melissa-trent-v-onderlaw-llc-dba-the-onder-law-firm\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"},"2":{"name":"Mark O'Hara Wright v. Andrew C. Graves, Esq.","case_number":"1079223","citation":null,"date":"2023-10-17","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/9434732\/mark-ohara-wright-v-andrew-c-graves-esq\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"},"3":{"name":"Mark O'Hara Wright v. Andrew C. Graves, Esq.","case_number":"1079223","citation":null,"date":"2023-10-17","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/9433213\/mark-ohara-wright-v-andrew-c-graves-esq\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"},"4":{"name":"McConnell v. Servinsky Engineering, PLLC","case_number":"Case No. 2:13CV00048","citation":"22 F. Supp. 3d 610","date":"2014-05-20","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/7306688\/mcconnell-v-servinsky-engineering-pllc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. OPINION AND ORDER .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, W.D. Virginia"},"5":{"name":"Hewlette v. Hovis","case_number":"2:04CV128","citation":"318 F. Supp. 2d 332","date":"2004-05-19","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2472864\/hewlette-v-hovis\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 318 F.Supp.2d 332 (2004) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"6":{"name":"Shevlin Smith v. McLaughlin","case_number":"140500","citation":null,"date":"2015-02-26","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2782322\/shevlin-smith-v-mclaughlin\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Present: Lemons, C.J, Goodwyn, Millette, McClanahan, and .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"7":{"name":"Ripper v. Bain","case_number":"Record 961353","citation":"482 S.E.2d 832","date":"1997-02-28","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1060069\/ripper-v-bain\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 482 S.E.2d 832 (1997) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"},"8":{"name":"In Re Palumbo Family Ltd. Partnership","case_number":"16-51039","citation":"182 B.R. 447","date":"1995-04-03","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1985915\/in-re-palumbo-family-ltd-partnership\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 182 B.R. 447 (1995) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"United States Bankruptcy Court, E.D. Virginia"}}}},{"id":368923,"structure_id":52566,"section_number":"54.1-3907","catch_line":"Reasonable care of attorney in selection of index","url":"\/54.1-3907\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3907","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":368924,"structure_id":52566,"section_number":"54.1-3908","catch_line":"Liability for words used in proceedings concerning conduct","url":"\/54.1-3908\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3908","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}}],"previous_section":{"id":368919,"structure_id":52566,"section_number":"54.1-3903","catch_line":"Oath; qualification; proof of licensure or authorization","url":"\/54.1-3903\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3903","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":368921,"structure_id":52566,"section_number":"54.1-3905","catch_line":"Furnishing advice and services for compensation in connection with certain debt-pooling plans deemed practicing law","url":"\/54.1-3905\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3905","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-3904\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1988, chapter 765; in 1994, chapter 441<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":347359,"section_number":"15.2-1507","catch_line":"Provision of grievance procedure; training programs","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1507\/"},{"id":351939,"section_number":"19.2-8","catch_line":"Limitation of prosecutions","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-8\/"},{"id":352823,"section_number":"2.2-3004","catch_line":"Grievances qualifying for a grievance hearing; grievance hearing generally","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3004\/"},{"id":352827,"section_number":"2.2-3007","catch_line":"Certain employees of the Departments of Corrections and Juvenile Justice","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3007\/"},{"id":354478,"section_number":"22.1-214","catch_line":"Board to prepare special education program for children with disabilities","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-214\/"},{"id":354809,"section_number":"22.1-308","catch_line":"Grievance procedure","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-308\/"},{"id":363036,"section_number":"4.1-108","catch_line":"Hearings; representation by counsel","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-108\/"},{"id":363281,"section_number":"4.1-627","catch_line":"Hearings; representation by counsel","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-627\/"},{"id":366425,"section_number":"47.1-23","catch_line":"Grounds for removal from office","order_by":null,"url":"\/47.1-23\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1471257,"object_type":"law","relational_id":368920,"identifier":"54.1-3904","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3904","url":"\/54.1-3904\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-3904\/","token":"54.1\/IV\/39\/1\/54.1-3904","dublin_core":{"Title":"Penalty for practicing without authority","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-3904","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Any person who practices law<\/span> without being authorized or licensed shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. A collection agency may refer debts to an attorney for collection with the creditor<\/span>’s approval of the referral and the fee arrangement and shall not be deemed to be engaged in the unauthorized practice of law<\/span>. An attorney is permitted by the creditor<\/span>’s authorization to enter into such representation agreements.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPENALTY FOR PRACTICING WITHOUT AUTHORITY (\u00a7 54.1-3904)\n\nAny person who practices law without being authorized or licensed shall be\nguilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A collection agency may refer debts to an\nattorney for collection with the creditor’s approval of the referral and\nthe fee arrangement and shall not be deemed to be engaged in the unauthorized\npractice of law. An attorney is permitted by the creditor’s authorization\nto enter into such representation agreements.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 54-44; 1988, c. 765; 1994, c. 441.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}