Bill > HR3213

This bill aims to protect state and federal courts' authority to regulate attorneys by preventing federal agencies from interfering with attorneys' litigation activities. The legislation establishes that attorneys engaged in litigation should be regulated exclusively by state supreme courts, their disciplinary agencies, and relevant state and federal courts. The bill specifically prohibits federal agencies from having supervisory, enforcement, or regulatory authority over attorneys' litigation activities and bars private parties from bringing civil actions against opposing attorneys for their litigation conduct. Key provisions include defining "litigation activities" broadly as any legal actions taken by attorneys in court, such as filing pleadings, communicating in court, or enforcing judgments. The bill responds to concerns about federal agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau potentially overreaching in their regulation of attorneys, which the bill argues undermines courts' traditional role in managing the legal profession. The legislation makes conforming amendments to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Consumer Financial Protection Act to clarify protections for attorneys engaged in litigation. Ultimately, the bill seeks to preserve judicial oversight of attorneys and prevent what lawmakers view as inappropriate external regulation of legal practice, with the goal of maintaining professional standards and protecting attorneys' ability to represent their clients effectively.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3213/all-info