If you contract an auction before receiving your license, can you sue for losses if the seller fails to honor it?

In Georgia, as in many states, operating as an auctioneer without a proper license can lead to significant legal implications. When you enter into a contractual agreement to conduct an auction before obtaining your auctioneer's license, you are engaging in an activity that is not legally sanctioned.

The rationale for not being able to sue for losses in this scenario relies on the principle that individuals must adhere to licensing laws that govern specific professions. Since the contract to auction is invalidated by the absence of a license, the law typically does not recognize the enforceability of such agreements. Therefore, without the requisite license, the contract itself is void, meaning the party lacking the license does not have the legal standing to pursue claims or damages arising from that contract.

This reflects the broader legal concept that one cannot benefit from an illegal act or expect enforcement of contracts made in violation of statutory regulations. Thus, because the auctioneer was unlicensed at the time of contracting, pursuing a lawsuit would likely be unsuccessful, adhering to the principle that compliance with licensing requirements is mandatory for the enforceability of agreements in regulated professions.