Nirvana Med Spa v. Director, Division of Workforce Services ( 2024 )

Cite as 2024 Ark. App. 284ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS
DIVISION III
No. E-23-149
Opinion Delivered May 1, 2024
NIRVANA MED SPA
APPELLANT APPEAL FROM THE ARKANSAS
BOARD OF REVIEW
V.
[NO. 2022-BR-02303]
DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF WORKFORCE
SERVICES
APPELLEE DISMISSED
BART F. VIRDEN, Judge
Appellant, Nirvana Med Spa, appeals from the Arkansas Board of Review’s March
30, 2023 decision finding that the claimant, Emily Benton, was entitled to unemployment
benefits because she quit her last work for good cause connected to the work. We dismiss
for lack of jurisdiction.
Nirvana Med Spa filed its petition for appeal with this court on April 13, 2023. The
notice of appeal was signed by Salman Hashmi. Hashmi is not an attorney licensed to
practice in Arkansas. It is well-settled law that corporations must be represented by licensed
attorneys. IHOP #1914 v. Dir., 2023 Ark. App. 102. Furthermore, our supreme court has
held that when a party not licensed to practice law in this state attempts to represent the
interests of others by submitting to the jurisdiction of a court, those actions, such as the
filing of pleadings, are rendered a nullity. Id.1
In this matter, Hashmi indicated in the petition that Nirvana Med Spa was not
represented by an attorney, and he signed the petition. Because Hashmi is not an attorney,
he cannot represent Nirvana Med Spa in this case. Id. Our case law makes it clear that
invoking the process of a court of law constitutes the practice of law. Super 8 Motel v. Dir.,
2019 Ark. App. 555. Because Hashmi was practicing law when he signed the petition, the
petition is null and void. Id. As a result, we lack jurisdiction and dismiss this appeal.
Dismissed.
HARRISON, C.J., and BARRETT, J., agree.
Salman Hashmi, on behalf of appellant.
Cynthia L. Uhrynowycz, Associate General Counsel, for appellee.
2