Jessica Louise Wager fined, convictions recorded for pretending to be a lawyer

A young woman who is not a lawyer and has never studied law pretended to be an experienced solicitor offering legal advice for a measly cost.

Jessica Louise Wager used online platform Airtasker to offer people legal advice, despite not being an accredited lawyer.

A young woman who is not a lawyer and has never studied law pretended to be an experienced solicitor offering legal advice over a global online platform, as she desperately tried to earn money after relocating to Canada.

Then aged 21-22, she had created a profile on Airtasker through its Queensland domain under the name Jessica Louise and picked up 12 clients over five months in 2022.

Jessica Louise Wager told her clients she was a senior “all rounder” solicitor with Australian and international experience.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard Wager, now 24, responded to posts seeking legal work and was paid for her efforts with the amount totalling about $650.

She gave legal advice regarding insurance and family court matters; drafting contracts, waivers, letters and cease and desist documents; reviewing parenting agreements and consent orders; and assisting with visa documents.

Wager also claimed to be from a large and reputable law firm, even going so far as to use the company’s letterhead and email signature in communications

with clients and other parties.

Legal Services Commission was pushing for convictions to be recorded against the 20 charges, that included eight counts of engaging in legal practice when not entitled and 12 counts of represent or advertise entitlement to engage in legal practice when not entitled.

The LSC also wanted a severe fined totalling more than $10,000 because of the prolific and protracted nature of the offending.

Acting Magistrate Nigel Rees said they key issue was people should have confidence in law firms and “this erodes that confidence in the legal profession” and “strikes right at the head of the legal system”.

Jessica Louise Wager has been fined $7000 for pretending to be a lawyer.

He agreed the public needed to be protected.

“You labelled yourself a senior lawyer and included signatures indicated you worked for a reputable law firm,” Mr Rees said, adding Wager not only claimed to be a senior lawyer but an international lawyer with one inquiry coming from the Philippines.

“You had no authority to do that.”

The court heard there was no evidence placed on the record of any damage but Mr Rees said “it would be trite to say there hasn’t been any damage caused”.

Wager had no criminal history.

Legal Aid Queensland solicitor Rosie Varley said given her client’s young age she was not beyond the prospects of rehabilitation and had already taken many proactive steps towards turning her life around.
Wager had a full-time job as a customer service operator and was studying introductory courses to psychology with aspirations to pursue a career in clinical psychology.

She was in Mackay to have the case finalised and then would return to her home interstate.

A number of glowing references were tendered that included words like honourable, integrity, dependable and “that this does not reflect your true character”.

Wager created a profile on Airtasker through its Queensland domain under the name Jessica Louise and picked up 12 clients over five months in 2022.

Ms Varley said her client had a chaotic childhood where she split her time between Mackay and Brisbane after her parents’ relationship broke down.

She completed high school to year 10.

Ms Varley said this offending was out of character for her client, who had committed no further offences since.

At the time she had been trying to build a life in Canada after relocating there for the second time in 2022 – she had to return to Australia the first time because of Covid.

The court heard on returning to Canada Wager had difficulties finding work to support herself and felt under immense financial pressure.

Ms Varley said she was desperate to remain in Canada and desperate for money to get by day to day, so she created the Airtasker profile.

Wager accepted absolutely there was no excuse for her offending. “She certainly sees the gross error and misjudgment in committing these offences and she is extremely remorseful for her offending,” Ms Varley said.

“She’s taken genuine steps to move forward with her life.”

“It appears you have turned your ship around and hopefully have got your life back on track,” Mr Rees told Wager.

But he told her the penalty had to deter others because “paramount to the legal system is public confidence.

“People who hold themselves out to be lawyers and aren’t, are putting those people in jeopardy,” Mr Rees said, adding he would be recording convictions to reflect how serious the offending was but would reduce the monetary penalty.

Wager was fined $7000 and ordered to pay $1000 costs. Convictions were recorded.

Commissioner Megan Mahon has recognised the increase in unlawful operators using online platforms and social media to offer and advertise legal advice and unqualified legal services.

“The Commission will continue to respond to information about unlawful operators using online platforms and social media to advertise their unqualified services,” Commissioner Mahon said.

“Fundamental to the protection of anyone seeking legal services is ensuring that those services are lawfully provided by qualified, licensed and insured practitioners”.