A Murray psychotherapist who operates "Utah Dads," a fathers' rights business, is practicing law without a license, according to the Utah State Bar.
Bar attorneys filed a civil complaint in 3rd District Court, asking the court to prohibit Jerry S. Gardner from "engaging in the unauthorized practice of law."Gardner told the Deseret News that the complaint "is a bunch of baloney." He would not elaborate.
In its complaint, the bar says Gardner - who advertises his business under the "legal services" category in the classified section of Salt Lake City's daily newspapers - refers to himself as a "domestic mediator," expresses legal opinions and writes letters that warn people of legal consequences if they do not fully cooperate with him.
Gardner also has told people that he completes uncontested divorces for $350 and claims to be associated with local attorneys, the complaint states.
On Sept. 4, 1992, Gardner wrote to a woman in Florida warning her that he had been "retained" to resolve a child-visitation problem and that her failure to cooperate would result in a court action, according to the lawsuit.
On Feb. 26, Gardner wrote to a woman in Salt Lake County, saying that her behavior constitutes a contempt of the court's order regarding visitation.
A state Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing employee, acting under cover, called Gardner on March 30. Gardner said that he completes "a lot of uncontested divorces" for $350, according to the complaint.
Gardner is not an attorney and is not admitted to practice law in Utah, the complaint states.
"He provides legal advice and has no business doing it . . . It causes a lot of confusion," said Sandra Steinvoort, an attorney representing the Utah State Bar. "If he were trying to assist people to mediate disputes or resolve conflicts, that would be fine. But when he tries to write threatening letters, that's where the concern comes in."
Steinvoort said the bar's "Unauthorized-Practices-of-Law Committee" investigated Gardner and his business after receiving several complaints.