# Business Occupations and Professions (GBO)

## Title 10. Lawyers

### Subtitle 1. Definitions; General Provisions

#### Section 10-101

(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) "Admission to the Bar" means, unless the context requires otherwise, authorization by the Supreme Court of Maryland to practice law in the State.

(c) "Attorney at law" means a lawyer who, while practicing law, represents another person.

(d) "Bar" means, unless the context requires otherwise, the Bar of the Supreme Court of Maryland.

(e) "Board" means the State Board of Law Examiners.

(f)

  (1) "Court" means, unless the context requires otherwise:

    (i) the Supreme Court of Maryland;

    (ii) the Appellate Court of Maryland;

    (iii) a circuit court; or

    (iv) the District Court of Maryland.

  (2) "Court" does not include:

    (i) an orphans' court; or

    (ii) the Maryland Tax Court.

(g) "Lawyer" means an individual who is admitted to the Bar.

(h)

  (1) "Practice law" means to engage in any of the following activities:

    (i) giving legal advice;

    (ii) representing another person before a unit of the State government or of a political subdivision; or

    (iii) performing any other service that the Supreme Court of Maryland defines as practicing law.

  (2) "Practice law" includes:

    (i) advising in the administration of probate of estates of decedents in an orphans' court of the State;

    (ii) preparing an instrument that affects title to real estate;

    (iii) preparing or helping in the preparation of any form or document that is filed in a court or affects a case that is or may be filed in a court; and

    (iv) giving advice about a case that is or may be filed in a court.

#### Section 10-102

This title does not limit the right of:

(1) an individual to appear on the individual's own behalf before a court or other unit of the State government;

(2) a title insurance company to examine and to insure titles to real property;

(3) a collection company to engage in the business of collecting or adjusting commercial claims; or

(4) a lawyer who is employed on a regular salaried basis by a corporation to represent the corporation before a court or other unit of the State government.

#### Section 10-103

(a) Subject to this title, the Supreme Court of Maryland shall adopt rules that govern the standards and procedures for admission to the Bar.

(b) The rules under this section shall include provisions for:

  (1) a uniform system of Bar examination in the State;

  (2) the registration of each applicant for admission to the Bar;

  (3) the qualifications of each applicant for admission to the Bar;

  (4) the examination of the character of each applicant for admission to the Bar; and

  (5) the fees to be paid by an applicant.

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Md. Code Ann., Bus. Occ. & Prof. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)