ATTORNEY AND CLIENT - ILLEGAL PRACTICE OF LAW - ACTIVITIES OF INSURANCE INVESTIGATORS AND ADJUSTERS WHICH CONSTITUTE PRACTICE OF LAW

The defendant was an independent insurance adjuster and investigator who for more than seven years had been engaged in adjusting and investigating insurance claims for both insurance companies and claimants. He advertised in insurance periodicals and wrote letters to insurance companies to interest them in the service he rendered. He charged his clients on a fee basis and maintained his office at his own expense. Suit was brought to restrain him from practicing law without a license.

Held, defendant could not give advice as to legal rights of either insurance company or claimant, but could communicate advice of counsel if he made the source clear, investigate facts surrounding a claim and communicate written statements of witnesses, fill in forms of release and select which of three forms to use, and appraise damages. State ex rel. Junior Association of Milwaukee Bar v. Rice, 236 Wis. 38, 294 N. W. 550 (1940).