Article Abstract #6

Condon, Charles J. How to Avoid the Unauthorized Practice of Law at the Reference Desk. 19(1/2) Legal Reference Services Quarterly 165 (2001)

One of the biggest hazards in the practice of law librarianship is crossing the line between providing reference service and practicing law. In this article, the author explains three levels of reference service – minimum, mid-level and maximum – and when a librarian might choose to use them. For example, minimum reference service is the most protective of the librarian but also requires that the patron fend for themselves in the complicated world of legal information.

The most informative part of this article are the strategies Condon provides for avoiding the unauthorized practice of law. These include having signs in the library informing patrons of the difference between providing legal information and legal advice, preparing pathfinders for research assistance and having extensive referral lists available.