Unlicensed Practice of Law in Property Tax Appeals: What Illinois Property Owners Should Know

In this episode of Devine Intervention: Shedding Light on Illinois Property Tax, host Sean O’Connor sits down with property tax attorney Nora Devine to discuss the critical issue of unlicensed practice of law in property tax matters. Nora, with her extensive experience since 2005, delves into the legal requirements for representing taxpayers in Illinois, emphasizing the necessity of being a licensed attorney to handle real estate tax appeals. She contrasts Illinois’ strict regulations with states like Texas, where non-attorneys can become licensed property tax representatives. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding who is legally allowed to represent property owners and the potential consequences of unauthorized practice. Nora provides insights into notable cases, such as Iin  Ray re Yamaguchi (1987), and discusses the ethical obligations attorneys have to comply with compared to non-attorneys. Listeners will gain valuable knowledge on navigating property tax appeals and ensuring they have qualified representation.