how do i find out if a lawyer has been disciplined?

^{Here are the ways to find out about any specific problems and what punishment was meted out:}

• Visit the State Bar of Florida website
• On the homepage, you will see the Find a Lawyer feature on the right-hand side.
• Type in the first and last name of the lawyer you’ve been interviewing.

Full Answer

Where can I find information about my attorney discipline?

Jun 10, 2021 · To find out whether an attorney has been disciplined, you must first determine the state or states in which an attorney is licensed, and then go to the website for the bar association for that state. The American Bar Association maintains an online listing of each state’s lawyer disciplinary agency.

What happens if an attorney is disciplined?

Jan 15, 2020 · It is to your benefit to thoroughly research an attorney's disciplinary history. You should take into account any previous discipline taken and the circumstances surrounding the discipline. The following state links will help you learn whether an attorney is currently eligible to practice law or has been disciplined in the past. If you need additional information regarding an …

How do you discipline a lawyer for unethical behavior?

To find out whether an attorney has been disciplined, you must first determine the state or states in which an attorney is licensed, and then go to the website for the bar association for that state. The American Bar Association maintains an online listing of each state’s lawyer disciplinary agency. You can then search for that attorney’s name in the state bar’s record to see whether …

How do I find out if an attorney has been disbarred?

Jul 07, 2010 · It provides links to the official lawyer look-up page for every state and the District of Columbia. An alternative, unofficial source for this information is the lawyer-directory site Avvo. It provides disciplinary histories for the lawyers it lists. I would start with the official source and use Avvo as a back up.

What should I do when choosing an attorney?

It’s always awkward to ask, “So, when’s the last time you were suspended from practice?”

Look up the attorney on the state bar association website

Each state has its own bar association that grants licenses to attorneys. These associations monitor and discipline lawyers, suspending or disbarring those who violate the code of ethics for that specific state.

Google online reviews and complaints

When picking an attorney for any matter, at the very least you should search for reviews online and see what others have said.

What is a discipline hearing?

A discipline hearing is similar to a court hearing. A Law Society lawyer, like a Crown prosecutor, presents evidence to prove the allegations against the lawyer. The lawyer who is the subject of the allegations is usually represented by another lawyer.

How to file a complaint against a lawyer?

If you still want to file a complaint, it must be in writing. You can use the Law Society's online complaint form or submit a paper complaint form .

Does the Law Society set fees?

The Law Society does not set lawyers' fees and does not have the authority to resolve disputes about fees. If you have discussed your concerns about fees with your lawyer and are still dissatisfied, you may be able to settle a disagreement about fees using the Law Society’s Fee Mediation Program. For details, see Complaints About Lawyers' Fees.

How long does it take to investigate a complaint?

There is no set time for an investigation of a complaint. Generally speaking, the more serious or complex the issue is, the longer the review will take. However, the Law Society does its best to handle all complaints promptly and fairly. About 85% of complaints are resolved within one year.

Is a complaint confidential?

Complaints are not confidential. Information you provide to the Law Society may be forwarded to the lawyer for his or her consideration. The lawyer may not be required to keep that information confidential.

New York Courts Put Attorney Discipline Records Online

The New York court system has added records showing whether an attorney has been disciplined to its publicly available online database.

About the Author: Ellyssa

Ellyssa Valenti Kroski is the Director of Information Technology and Marketing at the New York Law Institute as well as an award-winning editor and author of 75 books including Law Librarianship in the Age of AI for which she won the AALL's 2020 Joseph L. Andrews Legal Literature Award.