New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today issued a notice of proposed litigation, cease and desist letter, and a subpoena for business records to Legal Docs By Me, LLC for the “unauthorized practice of law.”
Schneiderman sent the letter to Derek Distenfield, who operates Legal Docs By Me, according to Schneiderman’s office.
The firm’s website markets the business as one providing “low cost, fast, accurate document preparation services with a smile” and uses the phrase “No Lawyers – Save Money.”
The website also lists office locations in Watertown, Syracuse, Santa Barbara, Calif., and Camarillo, Calif.
Legal Docs By Me has worked to open locations “near military bases nationwide,” the office said.
Distenfield recently launched Legal Docs By Me, LLC, in the Franklin Building in Watertown, to “provide another key to the courthouse,” according to Schneiderman’s office.
“It is critical that New Yorkers receive strong legal advice from knowledgeable and qualified attorneys,” Schneiderman said in the news release. “My office will take whatever steps necessary to ensure that anyone practicing law in New York State is licensed to do so.”
Citing Distenfield’s LinkedIn profile, Schneiderman’s office said he previously served as the senior vice president of sales and marketing for another similar business, “We The People.”
Multiple lawsuits nationwide found that “We The People” was also involved in the “unauthorized practice of law,” and in some instances, that the business had “materially prejudiced the interests of its clients and forged client signatures,” Schneiderman’s office added.
Distenfield worked with this father and stepmother, Ira and Linda Distenfield, in operating We The People. Distenfield’s parents are also helping their son in operating Legal Docs By Me, LLC, the attorney general’s office said.
Despite Schneiderman’s announcement, a woman who answered the phone at the Watertown office said Legal Docs By Me remains in operation, as the firm believes Schneiderman’s claim is “baseless” because the operation never portrayed itself as a law firm or an entity “providing legal advice.”
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com