In Re Opinion No. 26 of the Committee on the Unauthorized Practice of Law

We again confront another long-simmering dispute between realtors and attorneys concerning the unauthorized practice of law. See New Jersey State Bar Ass’n v. New Jersey Ass’n of Realtor Bds., 93 N.J. 470, 461 A.2d 1112 (1983). Title companies are also involved. Our resolution of the dispute turns on the identification of the public interest. Since our decision today permits sellers and buyers in real estate transactions involving the sale of a home to proceed without counsel, we find it necessary to state the Court’s view of the matter at the outset. The Court strongly believes that both…