JustAnswer: May be liable for practicing law without a license from CA. Some of their "experts" hold law degrees, and like Benjamin Berkley, specifically offer legal advice in return for compensation on JustAnswer.
Benjamin Berkley: Benjamin Berkley may be liable for trade libel - depending on if the statements resulted in pecuniary loss, he would be liable for the pecuniary loss caused by his statements. Trade libel is defamation of the goods a person sells or the character of his business in the form of a false statement of fact or opinion made knowingly or with reckless disregard for the truth.
Benjamin Berkley may also be in violation of the CA Rules of Professional Conduct:
Rule 1-300 Unauthorized Practice of Law
(A) A member shall not aid any person or entity in the unauthorized practice of law.
(B) A member shall not practice law in a jurisdiction where to do so would be in violation of regulations of the profession in that jurisdiction.
Rule 1-310 Forming a Partnership With a Non-Lawyer "A member shall not form a partnership with a person who is not a lawyer if any of the activities of that partnership consist of the practice of law."
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