Regarding work for national companies, I always feel that I have to ask if my work is being reviewed by an in house attorney before I work for them.  NC and SC bar rules over that.  I know that abstractors in NC do work for the public like you were describing for foreclosure reports, however, they can be charged with unauthorized practice of law.  I stay clear of any one asking questions in the registries or in the clerk of court foreclosure offices.  I have watched and heard abstractors who are employed by attorneys give out all kinds of legal advice (some of it wrong) to the public.  The County and State employees in my area all tell the public that they can not answer some of their questions because it can only be answered by an attorney.  I love to watch the faces of the public when they are told that they need to hire an attorney to answer that question.  The public will argue with you for not answering their questions when they know that you know the answer.

I am glad to hear that other states abide by that rule too.