On June 13, the Texas Professional Ethics Committee issued a proposed opinion, determining that a company’s in-house counsel providing legal services to the company’s clients constitutes the unauthorized practice of law (UPL). This ruling highlights a critical legal boundary given that a UPL violation — typically a misdemeanor in most states — carries significant consequences. This clarification is particularly valuable for in-house counsel and corporate legal departments to avoid potential legal infractions. Additional insights on the committee’s findings can be found here.