On March 10, 2023, the Disciplinary Commission of the Alabama State Bar publicly reprimanded Texas attorney Jimmy Lee Revis for professional misconduct.

According to the court document, Revis has violated Rules 1.1 [Competence], 1.3 [Diligence], 5.5 [Unauthorized Practice of Law], and 8.4(d) and (g) [Misconduct] of the Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct.

The rules of professional conduct can be found here.

In his representation of his niece and her family on immigration matters, Revis was alleged to have engaged in misconduct by failing to competently and diligently pursue the interest of his niece and her family on immigration matters. It was further alleged that Revis engaged in the unauthorized practice of law, engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, and conduct that adversely reflects on his fitness to practice law.

The filing states:

“The niece and her family came to the United States in November 2019 on a visitor visa which expired on May 27, 2020. Shortly before the visas expired, the attorney attempted to file paperwork which would begin the process of seeking legal residence in the United States. However, the applications were rejected.”

The filing continues:

“ In the interim, the visas expired after the attorney failed to file for an extension of the visas. As a result, the niece and her family were now deemed to be in the United States illegally, impairing their ability to seek legal residence in the United States. There was no record of the attorney having entered an appearance on their behalf before immigration.”

The filing further alleges:

“Upon receipt of the attorney’s self-report, it was discovered the attorney last held an occupational license in 2017. The attorney was unlicensed in 2018 and 2019, and then held a special membership license for 2020 and 2021. A special membership license does not allow a lawyer to engage in the private practice of law.”

Based on the foregoing, the Commission ruled against Revis in relation to his violation of the aforementioned rules and ordered the public reprimand of Revis without general publication.

Mr. Jimmy Lee Revis has been licensed in Alabama and Texas.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.