Geological Assessment & Leasing v. Michael C. and Dierdre J. O'Hara, etc.

Justice KETCHUM:

In these three consolidated appeals, we examine a circuit court’s rilling that a plaintiffs claim that a defendant engaged in the unauthorized practice of law can never, as a matter of law, be referred to arbitration. This Court has previously held that any state-based rule that prohibits outright the arbitration of a particular type of claim is preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act. Accordingly, we reverse the circuit court’s ruling.

I

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL . BACKGROUND

Defendant William Capouillez is a geologist who runs a small company, defendant Geological Assessment &…