Anyone who’s tried online dating knows that people misrepresent themselves all the time on various platforms. This can be frustrating, but it seldom surprises us anymore.
When someone makes misrepresentations in the professional space, however, the consequences can be severe. Perhaps no one knows this better than Sean Mescall, who was recently convicted in a New York state trial court on criminal charges for pretending to be a lawyer.
(Spoiler alert: His story landed a bit differently than "Suits’" Mike Ross.)
What Did Mescall Do?
Between April 2022 and January 2025, Mescall ran a fake law firm in Manhattan using names like “Prospection Legal” and “Mescall Law P.C.” He created online profiles on legal websites and social media, claiming he had a law degree from Texas Tech University and over a decade of legal experience.
But none of this was true. Mescall was never a licensed attorney.
Still, he claimed to be barred in New York, New Jersey, and other jurisdictions. Using the fake profiles, Mescall convinced over 100 people to hire him. Believing he was a real lawyer, clients paid Mescall for legal services. In total, he collected nearly $290,000 from them.
He pretended to provide legal representation for them in various cases. These included:
- Class action lawsuits
- Discrimination claims
- Business disputes
Mescall even hired a licensed attorney to work at his fake firm, lying to her about his own credentials.
After a series of red flags and complaints, the Manhattan district attorney (D.A.) launched an investigation.
Ultimately, a grand jury indicted Mescall in March 2025 for several criminal offenses. He pleaded guilty to felony fraud and grand larceny charges. Specifically, the trial court convicted him of:
- First-degree scheme to defraud
- Third-degree grand larceny
The court also ordered him to repay $294,275.63 to the over 100 client-victims he defrauded. D.A. Alvin Bragg emphasized that financial fraud, especially targeting people seeking legal help, will be aggressively prosecuted.
Mescall’s sentencing will take place in August 2025. He is expected to receive a prison sentence of two to six years.
Unauthorized Practice of Law: What’s the Big Deal?
The unauthorized practice of law (UPL) occurs when a non-licensed/non-barred attorney provides legal services that only lawyers are allowed to provide. A licensed attorney has completed a study program (usually law school), passed the required bar examination, and is officially authorized to practice law in a particular state/jurisdiction.
Each state has its own rules governing the legal profession. But generally, only licensed attorneys may:
- Give legal advice
- Represent someone in court
- Prepare legal documents
- Negotiate legal settlements
UPL is illegal in all U.S. jurisdictions. Depending on the state, it can also be a crime. The law treats these offenses seriously to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the legal profession.
Licensed lawyers have years of education and training to understand legal systems. Without this, unqualified people can cause harm by providing inaccurate or detrimental legal advice.
How Can You Be Sure You’re Hiring a Real Attorney?
We’d all like to think that we wouldn’t have fallen for Mescall’s scam. With a little due diligence, you can ensure it. Just follow these simple steps before hiring a lawyer:
- Check the state bar website: Every state has a bar association that licenses lawyers. Most have online directories where you can search a lawyer’s name to see if they’re licensed, active, and in good standing.
- Ask for their bar number: A real lawyer will have a bar number. You can use this number to verify their status with the state bar.
- Look for red flags: Proceed cautiously if someone refuses to provide their full name/bar number or says they’re not in the state bar directory for some other reason.
- Use trusted legal directories: Websites like FindLaw, Super Lawyers, or the American Bar Association can help connect you with verified lawyers.
- Call the state bar association: If you're unsure, or if all else fails, call your state’s bar association directly and ask if the state has authorized the person to practice law.
It’s usually pretty easy to confirm whether someone is a licensed attorney. This information is supposed to be publicly available.
Perhaps Mescall’s clients didn’t access it because of how simple it is to verify. They may have figured that no one would be so bold as to fake it. Or maybe they didn’t know how to check. Of course, the victims in this case were already likely dealing with stressful legal issues. Verifying Mescall’s credentials might not have been on the top of their to-do lists.
Regardless, such verification is a critical step in ensuring you work with only legitimate and qualified attorneys.
Related Resources:
- What Should I Look For When Trying to Choose a Lawyer? (FindLaw's Guide to Hiring a Lawyer)
- How Does a Criminal Case Get Started? (FindLaw's Law & Daily Life)
- Judge Allows Suit Against Burger King Questioning if Size Matters to Proceed (FindLaw's Legally Weird)
