Before retaining an attorney, every client has the right — and the responsibility — to verify that the lawyer is actually licensed to practice law in the relevant jurisdiction and has no serious disciplinary history. Every state bar association maintains a public online database of all licensed attorneys, including admission date, current status (active, inactive, suspended, disbarred), and any public disciplinary actions. These records are maintained as a matter of public accountability — the legal profession is self-regulated through bar associations, and those records are not behind paywalls. In 2025, state bars across the country continued to increase the detail available online, with many now showing law school, graduation year, areas of practice, and whether the attorney is in good standing. The ABA's National Lawyer Regulatory Data Bank compiles multi-state disciplinary actions. This directory gives you direct links to every state bar's official attorney search portal, updated March 2026.

National Attorney Verification Resources

The American Bar Association maintains the National Lawyer Regulatory Data Bank, which tracks multi-jurisdictional disciplinary actions. Martindale-Hubbell and Avvo provide peer ratings and client reviews as a secondary layer of due diligence — but always verify the official state bar record first.

State Bar Association Lookup Links

Each state bar association operates its own attorney verification database. Use the links below to go directly to your state's official attorney search portal. These are the authoritative sources — not third-party directories.

Understanding Disciplinary Records

State bar disciplinary actions range from private reprimands (not publicly visible) to public reprimands, suspensions, and disbarment. A public reprimand means the attorney violated professional conduct rules seriously enough to warrant public notice. Suspension means the attorney temporarily cannot practice. Disbarment is the most serious sanction — permanent removal from the bar, though some jurisdictions allow reinstatement after a waiting period. When reviewing an attorney's record, check whether any discipline is listed and what the disposition was.

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. Additionally, 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.