Using a lawyer license lookup is just one way to verify that you’re choosing the right lawyer for your situation. Whether it’s criminal defense or personal injury, sometimes the lawyer with the most prominent billboards or loudest television commercials aren’t quite what they claim to be.
They dismiss the grievance. If the Bar finds merit to the grievance, the lawyer can face disciplinary action.
When a lawyer receives a grievance for misconduct filed through the Bar: 1 The State Bar investigates the grievance. 2 If there’s no merit to the grievance, the Bar takes no further action against the lawyer. They dismiss the grievance. 3 If the Bar finds merit to the grievance, the lawyer can face disciplinary action.
That “good standing” part is critical for the next step. 2. Check for Grievances. A licensed lawyer isn’t necessarily a good lawyer. Now that you’ve confirmed the lawyer has a license keep researching to find out if they have any grievances.
For the public, the best way to confirm that an attorney is licensed to practice law in a particular jurisdiction is to contact the licensing or regulatory agency in that state that grants the bar license.
In most states, the licensing or regulatory agency is managed by the state bar or the state bar association. In 44 states and the District of Columbia, the licensing or regulatory agency publishes its database online so that the public can easily figure out whether an attorney is licensed, active, and in good standing.
Generally, the state bar database provides information about the attorney's name, address, phone number, email address, education, area of practice or specialty, and years in practice.
Go to the Official State Disciplinary Board website for Pennsylvania Lawyers The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is responsible for licensing and disciplining all attorneys licensed to practice in the state of Pennsylvania. Their website is http://www.padisciplinaryboard.org/
What if you have further questions about your attorney's conduct? If you click on the "Consumer Information" link, you will be given many resources about what to do if you have questions about your attorney's conduct. Remember, don't feel intimidated about asking questions and seeking information. The law should be working for you not against you.
A: A Certificate of Good Standing attests that an attorney was licensed and admitted to practice in the courts of this state on a given date, is currently registered with the Office of Court Administration (OCA), and is in “good standing,” that is, the attorney is not currently suspended or disbarred.
Please contact the NYS Office of Court Administration (OCA), the official licensing/registration unit: 212.428.2800, NYCourts.gov. Q: Can I run a search on the NYSBA Web site for a New York attorney that I am trying to locate? A: No.