Ethics: The Litigator’s Monopoly

In competing for clients against other professionals, lawyers have an edge for various reasons, including that a law license connotes expertise and integrity and that the attorney-client privilege protects their confidential communications with clients. But in some contexts, a law license gives lawyers more than just a competitive advantage. It grants us a monopoly, because laws regulating the unauthorized practice of law (UPL) forbid non-lawyers from providing legal services.