In my opinion, to withhold information on how to easily resolve an issue dealing with immigration on the grounds that it is a professional secret is selfish and mean spirited. I was licensed to practice law in several jurisdictions in the US (incl NY and Cal). Legal advice in a chat forum was not withheld simply for fear of losing business which is essentially what I suspect is here meant by maintaining a professional secret. There may reasons to withhold professional advice in a chat forum especially absent a disclaimer, but "professional secret" strikes me as odd.
Firstly, anyone in need of legal representation would generally not be capable or desirous of representing themselves. Secondly, disclosure of the magical get-out-of-jail-free professional secret doesn't automatically vitiate the need for legal representation. A lay person may know a legal rule but still benefit, if not, require professional assistance. That is especially true of expats who frequent this forum. Moreover, to the extent someone like Bajo uses this website to generate business (get clients etc ) I wonder whether it doesn't violate some rule prohibiting commercial activity here.
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Firstly, anyone in need of legal representation would generally not be capable or desirous of representing themselves. Secondly, disclosure of the magical get-out-of-jail-free professional secret doesn't automatically vitiate the need for legal representation. A lay person may know a legal rule but still benefit, if not, require professional assistance. That is especially true of expats who frequent this forum. Moreover, to the extent someone like Bajo uses this website to generate business (get clients etc ) I wonder whether it doesn't violate some rule prohibiting commercial activity here.
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