Definition of practice of law

The practice of law in Wisconsin is the application of legal principles and judgment with regard to the circumstances or objectives of another entity or person(s) where there is a client relationship of trust or reliance and which require the knowledge, judgment, and skill of a person trained as a lawyer. The practice of law includes but is not limited to: (1) Giving advice or counsel to others as to their legal rights or the legal rights or responsibilities of others for fees or other consideration. (2) Selection, drafting, or completion for another entity or person of legal documents or agreements which affect the legal rights of the other entity or person(s). (3) Representation of another entity or person(s) in a court, or in a formal administrative adjudicative proceeding or other formal dispute resolution process or in an administrative adjudicative proceeding in 157 which legal pleadings are filed or a record is established as the basis for judicial review. (4) Negotiation of legal rights or responsibilities on behalf of another entity or person(s). (5) Any other activity determined to be the practice of law by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.