LIEB BLOG

Legal Analysts

Thursday, February 02, 2017

Retired Attorneys can engage in real estate brokerage without a brokerage license

On May 5, 2016, the Department of State was asked:

"[W]hether a 'retired' attorney is exempt from the licensing requirements imposed by the NY RPL."

The DOS opined that "licensure as a real estate broker or salesperson is not required if practicing as a 'retired' attorney because there is oversight by the Appellate Division for breaches of trust and confidence."

The takeaway is that attorneys, even retired attorneys, need not be licensed by the DOS to broker transactions for compensation.