News Releases

State Bar takes over unauthorized law practice in Central Valley

The State Bar of California obtained an order to assume jurisdiction of an unlicensed law practice in the Stockton area that targeted immigrants.

The San Joaquin County Superior Court order signed Friday, Jan. 26, allows the State Bar to assume jurisdiction of the unauthorized law practice and reclaim client files and other records of the office of Yehlen Dorothea Brooks.

Brooks defrauded immigrant clients who hired her to represent them in immigration matters, promising to protect them from deportation. Instead, she threatened clients with deportation if they did not continue to pay her. Some clients, including those who paid her based on her assurances that she would protect them, were detained and deported anyway.

Brooks operated an immigration law practice at various California locations, including Stockton and Manteca, between 2003 to 2017. Brooks was never licensed in California, but was licensed in Kansas which permitted her to practice in the immigration courts, even in California. Brooks was disbarred in Kansas in March of 2015; however, she unlawfully continued to take clients.

The State Bar of California will return Brooks' former clients' files and inform them it may be in their best interest to seek other legal counsel. Former clients should contact the State Bar directly at (213) 765-1709 to retrieve their documents and files. Multilingual interpretation is available.

"The investigation of the unauthorized practice of law is a core part of the State Bar’s mission to protect the public. That is particularly true where non-attorneys or former attorneys victimize immigrants and other vulnerable members of our communities," said Steven Moawad, Chief Trial Counsel of the State Bar of California. "The State Bar's Office of Chief Trial Counsel will aggressively pursue those engaging in the unauthorized practice of law and work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that they are prosecuted."

The court order obtained by the State Bar also authorizes the State Bar to freeze any bank account associated with the office.

The State Bar sought the court order in cooperation with the California Attorney General. The Attorney General previously charged Brooks with 21 crimes (including the unauthorized practice of law) and she ultimately pled guilty to 15 felonies.

The State Bar filed a petition in Superior Court on Dec. 22, 2017 to assume jurisdiction, and earlier this year the State Bar requested an interim order to assume jurisdiction, and for an injunction.

The State Bar of California has a dedicated unit to investigate and address the unauthorized practice of law, including those who give unlicensed legal advice and people posing as attorneys. If consumers consult immigration consultants for example, the law allows them to translate answers to questions on state or federal forms, obtain copies of supporting documents and refer their clients to legal representation. The use of the term notario is prohibited in California. Immigration consultants can't represent them in court, however, or provide specific legal advice. If they do, they could be prosecuted for the unauthorized practice of law.

If an attorney practices law while their licensed is suspended or they are disbarred, it is also considered the unauthorized practice of law.

People who have been targeted by someone who is unlicensed can file an unauthorized practice of law complaint with the State Bar against a non-attorney. There is no cost to file a complaint. U.S. citizenship is not required to file a complaint and the State Bar will not ask about citizenship or immigration status.

Additional State Bar resources for consumers:

• File a complaint about the unauthorized practice of law
  (complaint forms are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Russian)
• File a complaint about an attorney
• Look up an attorney to check the status of their license and whether there is a history of discipline
• Avoid fraud by unauthorized legal providers
• Multilingual State Bar legal resources for consumers

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The State Bar of California's mission is to protect the public and includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation and discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law; and support of efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system.