Rule 7 - Authorization to practice law (a) The following persons are authorized to practice law in Wyoming: (1) Members of the Wyoming State Bar, as more fully delineated and subject to the limitations set forth in the Bylaws of the Wyoming State Bar; (2) Attorneys who have been granted pro hac vice admission as provided in Rule 8, subject to the limitations set forth in that rule; (3) Law school clinic supervising attorneys meeting the qualifications of Rule 9, subject to the limitations set forth in that rule; (4) Law students meeting the qualifications of Rule 9, subject to the limitations set forth in that rule; and (5) Attorneys meeting the qualifications of Rule 5.5(d) of the Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct, subject to the limitations set forth in that rule. (b) "Practice law" means providing any legal service for any other person, firm or corporation, with or without compensation, or providing professional legal advice or services where there is a client relationship of trust or reliance, including appearing as an advocate in a representative capacity; drafting pleadings or other documents; or performing any act in a representative capacity in connection with a prospective or pending proceeding before any tribunal. (c) Whether or not they constitute the practice of law, the following are not prohibited: (1) Financial institutions and their nonlawyer employees, licensed to do business in Wyoming, preparing and informing customers with respect to documents incidental to the regular course of business they are licensed to perform. (2) Acts historically performed by landmen relating to the lease, purchase, sale, or transfer of an oil, gas, mineral or mining interest or other interest incident to an oil, gas, mineral or mining interest in real property if: (A) the acts are performed by a landman who does not hold himself or herself out as an attorney licensed to practice law in Wyoming or another jurisdiction; (B) the acts are in conformance with regional best industry practice; and (C) the landman is not a member of the Wyoming State Bar. (3) Statutorily authorized acts by a real estate agent or broker licensed by the Wyoming Real Estate Commission. (4) Title insurance companies authorized to do business in the State of Wyoming and their licensed agents preparing certain documents that would normally involve the practice of law subject to the following: (A) The transaction arises in the lawful course of business for the title insurance company issuing title insurance. (B) In closing a real estate sale, title insurance companies and their licensed agents may only prepare closing statements and releases which do not affect judgment liens. (C) The documents shall be on standardized forms prepared by a licensed Wyoming lawyer. When using said forms, non-lawyers shall not insert or include text or other information that requires the knowledge, judgment, or skill of one trained as a licensed Wyoming lawyer. (D) No counsel or advice shall be given with respect to the meaning, validity, or legal effect of the document or regarding the rights and obligations of the parties. (5) Title insurance companies authorized to do business in the State of Wyoming and their licensed agents, real estate rental agencies, licensed real estate brokers and their affiliated licensees, and employees of such entities may prepare documents other than those specifically set forth above at the request of a lawyer duly authorized to practice law in the State of Wyoming provided, however, that the lawyer requesting the document shall be responsible for the content thereof as if he or she drafted the document. (6) Abstractors preparing or extending abstracts in compliance with Wyo.Stat.Ann. § 33-2-101 without rendering opinions as to the character of a title. A title insurance company authorized to do business in the State of Wyoming, including its licensed agents, may review public records and specify any curative work or describe conditions which must be fulfilled before it will issue a title insurance policy in connection with a proposed real estate transaction, but may not render opinions, counsel, or advice to others regarding the marketability of status or titles. (7) Nonlawyers appearing as an advocate in a representative capacity before any body, board committee, or commission constituted by law, if that body, board, committee or commission has authorized such representation by federal statute, state statute, county, or city resolution or ordinance, federal administrative regulation, or state administrative regulation. (8) Nonlawyers serving in neutral capacities as mediators, arbitrators, conciliators, or facilitators. (9) Nonlawyers participating in labor negotiations, employee discipline hearings, employment grievances, arbitrations, mediations, or conciliations arising under collective bargaining rights or agreements or state or federal law, provided, however, that neither the Wyoming nor Federal Rules of Evidence apply. (10) Nonlawyers acting as lobbyists. (11) Nonlawyers selling legal forms in any format, so long as they do not advise or counsel another regarding the selection, use, or legal effect of the forms. Such forms shall clearly and conspicuously state that the forms are not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. (12) With respect to tax laws: (A) Nonlawyers preparing tax returns. (B) Nonlawyers representing other persons, entities, or organizations before the Internal Revenue Service or any other state or local taxing authority in Wyoming to the extent permitted by such agency or taxing authority. (C) Nonlawyers practicing before the U.S. Tax Court in conformity with its rules. (13) CPAs and members, associates or employees of CPA firms and persons working under the supervision of a CPA providing accounting, assurance, attest, tax, financial planning or consulting services for clients if such CPAs are licensed in accordance with the Wyoming Certified Public Accountants Act or are duly licensed in another state or jurisdiction and are authorized to practice in Wyoming under such law or rules. (14) Acts performed by duly licensed Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors in accordance with applicable statutes and the Rules and Regulations of the Wyoming Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors. (15) Nonlawyers engaging in any other activity which the Supreme Court determines, upon the report and recommendation of the Committee on the Unauthorized Practice of Law, does not constitute the unauthorized practice of law. (d) Any person may act pro se in a matter in which that person is a party. Wyo. R. State Bar, Att'y Cond. & Prac. 7
Adopted April 29, 2014, effective April 29, 2014.