Section 17.1 - Unlawful Practice of Law Committee(a) The Unlawful Practice of Law Committee ("UPL Committee") is authorized to exercise its powers and authority pursuant to statute, the bar rules of procedure and the Bar's bylaws.(b) The Board may nominate and request the Supreme Court to appoint as many members as it deems necessary to carry out the UPL Committee's functions, pursuant to BR 12.1. At least two members of the UPL Committee must be members of the general public and no more than one-quarter of the UPL Committee members may be lawyers engaged in the private practice of law. The Supreme Court may designate a Committee liaison from the Oregon Judicial Department to provide policy direction and input to the Committee, and to report to the Supreme Court on the Committee's work.(c) Pursuant to ORS 9.164 and BR 12.2, the UPL Committee shall investigate complaints of the unlawful practice of law. The UPL Committee may decline to investigate allegations of unlawful practice of law when: the allegations are not made to the UPL Committee in writing and submitted on the Bar's online UPL Complaint Form; the administrator determines the allegations do not involve the unlawful practice of law; the administrator determines the allegations do not involve public harm ; or the allegations consist only of printed or electronic materials, advertisements or other solicitations describing services that cannot reasonably be construed as legal services.(d) At the conclusion of an investigation, the UPL Committee may close the matter, issue an informational letter, refer the matter to the Board of Governors for initiation of proceedings under ORS 9.166, or refer the matter to another agency or bar department, as provided in Bar Policies.As amended by 11/19/2022.