Tennessee § 17-1-105 - Practice of law prohibited.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 17-1-105 — Practice of law prohibited., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 17-1-105. Practice of law prohibited.
No judge or chancellor shall practice law, or perform any of the functions of attorney or counsel, in any of the courts of this state, except in cases in which the judge or chancellor may have been employed as counsel previous to the judge's or chancellor's election. A newly elected or appointed judge or chancellor can practice law only in an effort to wind up the judge or chancellor's practice, ceasing to practice as soon as reasonably possible and in no event longer than one hundred eighty (180) days after assuming office. Code 1858, § 3912 (deriv. Acts 1851-1852, ch. 331, § 1); Shan., § 5705; Code 1932, § 9891; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 17-105; Acts 2012, ch. 789, § 3. Amendments. The 2012 amendment added the last sentence. Effective Dates. Acts 2012, ch. 789, § 7. April 23, 2012. Cross-References. County judges authorized to practice, § 16-16-106 . Practice of law prohibited, § 23-3-101 . Textbooks. Tennessee Jurisprudence, 16 Tenn. Juris., Judges, § 8. Law Reviews. Ethical Obligations of Judges (Joe G. Riley), 23 Mem. St. U.L. Rev. 507 (1993). Attorney General Opinions. General authority of judges of general sessions to administer oaths is not limited by T.C.A. §§ 8-18-107 , 8-18-109(b) or 17-1-105 , OAG 03-043 (4/15/03).
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 17-1-105
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 17-1-105 cover?
Section 17-1-105 ("Practice of law prohibited.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 17-1-105?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 17-1-105" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 17-1-105 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.