Lawyers police themselves. Every state runs its own bar association, every bar maintains a public database of who is licensed, and every disciplinary action above a private slap on the wrist gets posted online. None of it costs money. None of it requires you to identify yourself. If you are hiring a lawyer for anything that matters (a divorce, a custody fight, a real estate deal, a business contract, a criminal defense), five minutes on the state bar's website will tell you whether they are who they say they are.

Almost nobody does this. Then they are surprised when the "lawyer" they paid a $5,000 retainer to turns out to be suspended, disbarred in another state, or never licensed in the first place. It happens. The check is free.

National Attorney Verification Resources

The state bar is always the first stop. Sites like Martindale-Hubbell, Avvo, and FindLaw are useful for getting a sense of who someone is, what they specialize in, and what clients say about them. They do not have the legal authority to confirm a license. The state bar does. Use the directories below as a second layer, after you have confirmed the basic license through the bar.

State Bar Association Lookup Links

Pick the state where the lawyer is licensed (not necessarily where they live or have an office, since those can differ). Search by last name. The result page will tell you the four things that matter: are they admitted, are they active right now, when were they admitted, and have they ever been publicly disciplined. If any of those answers feels off, ask the lawyer directly before signing anything. Note: a partial list of state bars appears below. For all 50, see the NAAG directory or your state's official bar website.

Understanding Disciplinary Records

Lawyers get disciplined for a wide spectrum of things, and not all of it is what you would expect. Mishandling client money is the most common reason for serious discipline. Showing up late to court, missing deadlines, lying to clients, conflicts of interest, and substance-abuse-related conduct also show up regularly. A single old reprimand from twenty years ago for something minor is not necessarily a deal-breaker. A pattern of recent suspensions is. Read the actual disciplinary order if it is available, since the bar usually publishes it as a PDF. Some states allow disbarred lawyers to apply for reinstatement after a waiting period (often 5+ years), but reinstatement is rare and the bar publishes those decisions too. Other states make disbarment permanent.

Search by State

Select your state to find state-specific public records resources.

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I verify that an attorney is licensed in my state?

Go directly to your state's official bar association website and use their attorney search tool. Every state bar provides a free online search by attorney name. The result shows the attorney's license number, current status (active, inactive, suspended), admission date, and any public disciplinary history. Do not rely on the attorney's own website or business card as verification.

What does it mean if an attorney is listed as 'inactive'?

An inactive attorney has voluntarily placed their license in inactive status, they are still a member of the bar but are not currently authorized to practice law. They cannot represent clients in court, give legal advice for compensation, or hold themselves out as a practicing attorney. If you need legal representation, you need an attorney with active status.

Can I find out if an attorney was disbarred in another state?

The ABA's National Lawyer Regulatory Data Bank compiles disciplinary actions from participating state bars. Also, many disbarments are matters of public record reported in legal publications and on the bar's disciplinary history page. You should search the bar records in every state where the attorney claims to have practiced.

What is the difference between a reprimand and a suspension?

A reprimand is a formal censure, the attorney violated professional conduct rules, the violation is on record, but they may continue practicing. A suspension means the attorney cannot practice law for a defined period. Suspensions typically range from 30 days to several years. A disbarment is permanent removal from the bar, though some states allow reinstatement applications after a period.

Are paralegal credentials publicly verifiable?

Paralegals are not licensed like attorneys, there is no single national licensing body. The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) offer voluntary certification programs. You can verify certified paralegals through nala.org or paralegals.org, but be aware that uncertified paralegals may still legally perform paralegal work under attorney supervision.