Wisconsin UPL Statute Summary

Wis. Stat. §757.30, Penalty for practicing without license

  1. Every person, who without having first obtained a license to practice law as an attorney of a court of record in this state, as provided by law, practices law within the meaning of sub. (2), or purports to be licensed to practice law as an attorney within the meaning of sub. (3), shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $500 or imprisoned not more than one year in the county jail or both, and in addition may be punished as for a contempt.
  2. Every person who appears as agent, representative or attorney, for or on behalf of any other person, or any firm, partnership, association or corporation in any action or proceeding in or before any court of record, circuit or supplemental court commissioner, or judicial tribunal of the United States, or of any state, or who otherwise, in or out of court, for compensation or pecuniary reward gives professional legal advice not incidental to his or her usual or ordinary business, or renders any legal service for any other person, or any firm, partnership, association or corporation, shall be deemed to be practicing law within the meaning of this section.
  3. Every person who uses the words attorney at law, lawyer, solicitor, counselor, attorney and counselor, proctor, law, law office, or other equivalent words in connection with his or her name or any sign, advertisement, business card, letterhead, circular, notice, or other writing, document or design, the evident purpose of which is to induce others to believe or understand the person to be authorized to practice law or who in any other manner represents himself or herself either verbally or in writing, directly or indirectly, as authorized to practice law in this state, shall be deemed to be purporting to be licensed to practice law as an attorney within the meaning of this section.
  4. No person shall practice law in this state under any other given name or any other surname than that under which originally admitted to the bar of this or any other state, in any instance in which the board of bar examiners shall, after a hearing, find that practicing under the changed name operates to unfairly compete with another practitioner or to mislead the public as to identity or to otherwise result in detriment to the profession or the public. Any person violating this subsection shall be subject to the penalty provided in sub. (1). This subsection does not apply to a change of name resulting from marriage or divorce.

Enforcement Mechanisms/Complaint Processes for UPL

Victims may contact the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. A complaint form can be downloaded in English or Spanish here. Include copies of important documents, such as the sales receipt, repair order, warranty, and/or cancelled check as soon as possible. You can attach documents to this form, email to DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov or mail copies to:

Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Bureau of Consumer Protection
PO Box 8911
Madison, WI 53708-8911

Liability may be found under the Wisconsin Statutes §100.18 (Fraudulent Representation)

Reporting Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

To report ineffective assistance of counsel in Wisconsin, use this instructional page from the Supreme Court of Wisconsin or use this page for additional resources about filing grievances.

Contact Information for Relevant Agencies

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection:

Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Bureau of Consumer Protection
PO Box 8911
Madison, WI 53708-8911
Tel: (608) 224-5012
Hotline: (800) 422-7128

Notary Public Information:

Notary Section
WI Department of Financial Institutions
4822 Madison Yards Way, North Towers
PO Box 7847
Madison WI 53705
Tel: (608) 266-8915
Email: DFINotary@wisconsin.gov

Becoming a Notary Public

To become a notary public the following requirements must be fulfilled:

  • Resident of the United States
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Must have at least the equivalent of an 8th grade education
  • Submit a four-year Notary Public Application
  • Secure a notary bond for a minimum of $500 coverage
  • Complete the oath
  • Pass the WDFI notary exam with a score of 90% or better
  • Has a felony free record and/or record that is free of misdemeanors that show a violation of the public trust
    • A person convicted of a felony may only be commissioned as a Notary Public if the applicant is pardoned of the conviction.
  • Print the notary exam certificate and submit all forms to the WDFI with the required $20 fee

You may initiate the applications and pay online or download the applications that are available from here.

The Secretary of State has a search tool of recently issued commissions or to locate any current notary, which can be accessed here.