On Friday, July 26, 2024, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania issued an order suspending Nichole E. Humes, also known as Nichole Elizabeth Tuliszewski, from practicing law in the state for six months.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Nichole E. Humes, a/k/a Nichole Elizabeth Tuliszewski,” with case no. 53 DB 2024.

This suspension stems from accusations that Humes practiced law without a license in Hays County, Texas. According to a July 12, 2023 article by CBS Austin, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a fellow attorney that Humes had been providing legal counsel to clients at the Dorothy Butler Law Firm while not being licensed to practice law in Texas, Illinois, or Pennsylvania.

Investigators found no record of Humes having a license in Texas, Illinois, or Pennsylvania. Her license to practice in Pennsylvania had been suspended since September 2022, and her license in Illinois had not been valid since 2013. Despite this, Humes held herself out as a “Senior Associate Attorney” on the Butler law firm’s website and in emails. She also gave legal advice, negotiated with opposing counsel, and identified herself as “lead counsel” in a case.

Humes denied any wrongdoing when interviewed by deputies in 2023. However, she admitted to drafting legal documents and could not provide evidence that clients were informed she was not licensed in Texas.

In its July 26, 2024 order, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania suspended Humes from practicing in the state for six months as a reciprocal discipline in response to her lack of licensure in other states. She must comply with Pennsylvania rules governing suspended attorneys.

The Disposition states:

“AND NOW, this 26th day of July 2024, having failed to respond to a Notice and Order directing her to provide reasons against the imposition of reciprocal discipline, Nichole E. Humes, a/k/a Nichole Elizabeth Tuliszewski, is suspended from the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a period of six months. She shall comply with the provisions of Pa.R.D.E. 217.”

According to padisciplinaryboard.org, Ms. Humes acquired her law license in Pennsylvania in 2006.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.