Doug,

I do not believe the the issue is whether the attorney represents more than one party to the transaction. Multiple representation of parties  is not possible where there is a conflict of interest. I believe the issue presented to the court is that non attorneys should not be representing anyone in a transaction which is deemed to be a practice of law.

The REBA's concern with the UPL's does not seem limited to the signing agents. REBA also seems to be going after one of the title companies in a companion suit because settlement activity is also defined as a practice of law.

Amazingly many people elect to forego any representation by legal counsel at a closing...very bad idea in an acquistion of that size and complexity. The average package of closing documents  usually consists of 100 to 135 pages of material all of which is extremely complicated.