fred-seraphin_web.jpgMIAMI – Immigrant communities in South Florida are often victims of the unlicensed practice of law by people representing themselves as attorneys or as professionals who can handle their legal problems. This happens in a variety of cases and most often in immigration cases.

Representing yourself as an attorney, providing legal advice and filling out a government application on behalf of someone else is illegal.

Being employed as a paralegal, a document preparer or a notary without the proper certification and supervision by a licensed attorney is a third degree felony in the state of Florida.

Haitian Lawyers Association, Caribbean Bar Association and Legal Services of Greater Miami Inc. invite the general public to take part in a town hall to discuss the unlicensed practice of law. The event will be Thursday, Nov. 14, from 6-8 p.m., at 3000 Biscayne Blvd, Suite 500, Miami.

Fred Seraphin, Miami-Dade County Court Judge, will facilitate the panel discussion. The featured panelists are Senior Staff Attorney at Legal Services Lissette Labrousse, Attorney, Miami Unlicensed Practice of Law office Jacquelyn Needleman,

Deputy Chief, U.S. Attorney’s Office Jaime Raich and Branch Chief, Miami United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Rodolfo Nunez.

The goal of the event is to educate the public and provide guidance. The Haitian Lawyers Association is a nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to promote excellence, professionalism, equality and diversity in the legal profession and to facilitate the administration of justice while striving to protect and promote the general welfare of the Haitian-American community. The Caribbean Bar Association informs, educates and empowers all members of the Caribbean- American community. Legal Services of Greater Miami is a local organization that handles a series of civil matters, each year benefiting more than 30,000 individuals and families.