First, how can we find out if the representative is a lawyer able to practice Federal Administrative Law for MSPB and EEOC lawsuits and complaints? Second, what is our recourse if he is misrepresenting himself as a lawyer? Individuals have a billing statement which has his fees billed as an attorney and I cannot get a billing statement from him. Do you have any advice?
Douglas A ThomasLawsuit / Dispute AttorneyCentennial, CO ·
Many state and federal administrative actions do not require the representative to be an attorney. Sometime these people call themselves "strategist" or "representatives." It's completely legal. First, you have a right to see a billing statement before you pay any bill. Second, the Colorado Office of Attorney regulation maintains a online list of all attorneys licensed in Colorado. You can search by attorney name. Third, keep in mind that even an attorney can be licensed in one state and practice federal administative law in an other. So this search may or may not be helpful. Fourth, you're missing the obvious, just ask the representative if he is a lawyer and where is he licensed.
Here is the website for finding out if the person is a licensed attorney in CO: http://www.coloradosupremecourt.com/Registration/Registration.asp. Just copy and paste it into your browser and search by first and last name.
Mr. Thomas made several excellent points. The attorney can be licensed in CO or another state and still handle Federal Administrative Law. You do have the right to see a billing statement before being required to pay. Have you asked for one and he has refused? Why is he refusing? If someone is misrepresenting themselves as an attorney on business cards, billing invoices, etc. when they are a paralegal, etc. that could be a serious offense as it is tantamount to practicing law without a license (depending on what work they claim they have done) or could at least be fraudulent misrepresentation.
Mark Patchin MillerAdministrative Law LawyerDenver, CO ·
In addition to what the others have provided you should start by verbally asking the represen-tative whether he is a lawyer and if so where. Further, if you are a client of the representative you have a right to request and be provided with a billing statement. If you are a client of the rep you should request a billing statement in writing. If you are not a client of the rep then you do not have a right to a billing statement. If he alleges that he is an attorney then he has to be licensed in at least one state jurisdiction even if its not Colorado. Then you can check with that jurisdiction to see if he is licensed and in good standing (see link on another response). If he is misrepresenting himself as being a lawyer when in fact he is not you can file a complaint with the Office of Attorney Regulation, which is part of the Colorado Supreme Court or in the state where he represented he was licensed.
