Florida Bar v. Brumbaugh
Supreme Court of Florida
355 So.2d 1186 (1978)
Marilyn Brumbaugh (defendant), not a licensed attorney, ran a secretarial service typing legal documents for uncontested divorces, wills, and bankruptcies, charging $50 per client, advising customers on costs and required procedures, and typing the documents herself from information customers gave her rather than providing blank forms. The Florida Bar (plaintiff) petitioned to enjoin her for the unauthorized practice of law, a referee found she had engaged in such practice, and Brumbaugh objected, arguing the ruling violated her civil rights and her right to earn an honest living.
Whether an individual who is not licensed to practice law may sell printed legal forms and materials explaining legal practices and procedures to the public.