The furnishing of advice or services for compensation to a debtor in connection with a debt-pooling plan pursuant to which the debtor deposits funds for the purpose of distributing them among his creditors, except as authorized for persons licensed pursuant to § 6.2-2005, shall be deemed to be practicing law. Any person or agency not so authorized or who is not a member of the Virginia State Bar who furnishes or offers to furnish such advice or services for compensation shall be in violation of this section. However, it shall not constitute the practice of law merely to make or undertake to make payments to creditors on behalf of debtors, provided any person or agency that does so does not also negotiate with creditors, undertake to negotiate with creditors, or hold itself out as undertaking to negotiate with creditors on behalf of one or more debtors. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
1956, c. 584, § 54-44.1; 1975, c. 645; 1988, c. 765; 1994, c. 567; 2004, c. 790.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 54.1 - Professions and Occupations
§ 54.1-3900. Practice of law; student internship program; definition
§ 54.1-3901. Practice of patent law
§ 54.1-3903. Oath; qualification; proof of licensure or authorization
§ 54.1-3904. Penalty for practicing without authority
§ 54.1-3906. Liability to client
§ 54.1-3907. Reasonable care of attorney in selection of index
§ 54.1-3908. Liability for words used in proceedings concerning conduct
§ 54.1-3910. Organization and government of Virginia State Bar
§ 54.1-3910.1. Enforcement, etc., of costs
§ 54.1-3913. State Bar Fund; receipts; disbursements
§ 54.1-3913.1. Clients' Protection Fund
§ 54.1-3914. Forfeiture of license for failing to pay fees; restoration of license
§ 54.1-3915. Restrictions as to rules and regulations
§ 54.1-3916. Legal aid societies
§ 54.1-3917. Master retirement program
§ 54.1-3917.1. Group or individual insurance policies
§ 54.1-3918. Availability of Virginia State Bar membership list
§ 54.1-3919. Composition of Board; quorum
§ 54.1-3920. Appointment and terms of members
§ 54.1-3921. Board to elect one of its members president; appointment of secretary and treasurer
§ 54.1-3922. Powers, rules and regulations
§ 54.1-3924. Fees paid by applicants
§ 54.1-3925. Application for examination
§ 54.1-3925.2. Access to criminal history records
§ 54.1-3925.3. Authority for subpoenas; qualified privilege and immunity
§ 54.1-3926. Preliminary proof of education required of applicant
§ 54.1-3927. Time and place of examination
§ 54.1-3928. Issuance of license or certificate; list of persons certified to Supreme Court
§ 54.1-3929. Preservation of examination papers
§ 54.1-3931. Granting certificates without examination; law professors
§ 54.1-3933. Decreeing fee out of funds under control of court
§ 54.1-3934. Revocation of license by Board
§ 54.1-3935. Procedure for disciplining attorneys by three-judge circuit court
§ 54.1-3936. Protection of client interests in proceedings pending disciplinary action
§ 54.1-3938. Service of process in license revocation proceedings
§ 54.1-3938.1. Subpoena issued pursuant to law of another jurisdiction
§ 54.1-3941. Unlawful to act as runners or cappers
§ 54.1-3942. Validity of contract
§ 54.1-3943. Injunction against running, capping and soliciting