how to find lawyer of past cases

by Katlynn Erdman 5 min read

If the attorney has practiced in the federal court system, search the PACER electronic records systems. You'll have to sign up for the service, but you can search through any cases filed in U.S. District, Appellate or Bankruptcy courts by the attorney's name.

Go to your local criminal courthouse and ask for a listing of recent cases in which the attorney has represented a defendant. While many jurisdictions have case records online, that is not the case in every state or municipality.

Full Answer

How do I Find my Old Court cases?

Case files may also be accessed from the public access terminals in the clerk’s office of the court where the case was filed. Most cases created before 1999 are maintained in paper format only. Access paper case files from the court, where the case was filed, or at one of the Federal Records Centers (FRCs).

How do I find out the name of an attorney?

Some attorneys give examples of cases they've handled on their website, and some submit them to www.jvra.com, where you can search the name of your attorney, but you need to bear in mind that only case summaries the lawyer has chosen to submit will be found there...

Where can I find court cases created before 1999?

Most cases created before 1999 are maintained in paper format only. Access paper case files from the court, where the case was filed, or at one of the Federal Records Centers (FRCs). Contact the court where the case was filed for more information. Phone Access to Court Records

How do I find the right criminal defense lawyer?

Finding the right criminal defense lawyer is not an easy task, in part because it is difficult to examine an attorney's overall track record. The traditional method of selecting a lawyer has been to rely on a referral from a family member or friend, because there are no publications that keep track of attorneys' overall won-loss records.

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Which lawyer has won the most cases?

Gerald Leonard Spence (born January 8, 1929) is a semi-retired American trial lawyer. He is a member of the American Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame. Spence has never lost a criminal case either as a prosecutor or a defense attorney, and has not lost a civil case since 1969.

Can you request your files from your lawyer?

Practical Aspects of Getting Your Files Back From Your Attorney. You can ask your lawyer to send the files directly to you or your new attorney, in which case the safest way to make the request is in writing, via letter or email.

How do I search for cases in Westlaw?

On the Home page, you can retrieve a case by citation or name, or search for cases using the Global Search bar at the top of the page. You can also browse cases using the Cases link in the Content Types tab.

How do you find a good attorney?

You can run an attorney search at databases such as Avvo and Martindale Hubbell, which provide information such as practice areas, location, disciplinary records, and lawyer reviews. You might also consult your local or state bar association's attorney directory, which is a list of lawyers in your area.

Why do lawyers ignore you?

If your attorney is not experienced or efficient, they may have missed a deadline or made another mistake and aren't willing to confess their error. There could also be some bad news that is entirely outside of the attorney's control.

How do I ask for a client file?

No matter who requests the client file, document the request in writing. Get the client's informed consent in writing, too. Have the recipient sign an acknowledgement that he or she received the materials, and be sure to keep a complete copy of the client file for yourself.

How do you find the legal issue of a case?

What is a legal issue?Look for ambiguity in the facts. Lawyers LOVE ambiguity. ... Find where the opinions disagree. Many cases you read in law school have dissenting opinions, precisely because these opinions help you see both sides of the contested legal or factual points. ... Think about what you don't understand.

What can you find on Westlaw?

The Westlaw Directory organizes case law, statutory and administrative materials, and business information and news databases by individual state.

How do I use Westlaw?

1:129:45Introduction to Thomson Reuters Westlaw - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWithin West's search you can enter citations for documents. Search terms or you can start to typeMoreWithin West's search you can enter citations for documents. Search terms or you can start to type the case names or the names of publications that you're looking for and it will make suggestions.

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.

What is the best site to find a lawyer?

8 Of The Most Popular Lawyer Review Sites In 2020Google lawyer reviews. Google has quickly become a giant contributor in the world of online reviews. ... Yelp. Yelp isn't just for finding the best pizza joint in town. ... Avvo. ... Martindale–Hubbell. ... Lawyers.com. ... Better Business Bureau. ... 7. Facebook. ... NOLO.

What questions should you ask when hiring a lawyer?

Below are ten questions to ask your potential lawyer.How long have you practiced law? ... What type of cases do you generally handle? ... Who is your typical client? ... How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?More items...•