How-To Guide

How to Check If Your Lawyer Has Been Disciplined

How to look up an attorney's discipline history before hiring them — or to check on your current lawyer's record.

Why You Should Check Before You Hire

Attorney discipline records are public — and checking them before hiring a lawyer takes less than five minutes. Yet most clients never do it. A quick search of your state bar's online directory can reveal whether an attorney has been disciplined, suspended, disbarred, or the subject of other public sanctions. This information can be critical in choosing representation.

How to Search Attorney Discipline Records

Step 1: Find your state bar's attorney search tool. Every state bar maintains a public directory that allows you to search licensed attorneys by name. Use our state directory to find the link for your state.

Step 2: Search by name. Enter the attorney's full name. Note that some attorneys have common names — verify the result matches the attorney you are researching by checking the bar number, address, and law school if listed.

Step 3: Review the discipline history. The search result will show the attorney's license status (active, inactive, suspended, disbarred) and, in most states, a history of any public discipline. Note that private admonishments are typically not shown in public records.

Step 4: Check multiple states if applicable. If the attorney has practiced in multiple states, check the bar records in each state. Discipline in one state may not be reported in another, though many states have reciprocal discipline rules.

Step 5: Use the ABA's national resources. The American Bar Association's Center for Professional Responsibility maintains links to all state bar discipline lookup tools at americanbar.org.

What to Look For

Red flags in an attorney's discipline history include:

Prior suspension for client fund misappropriation
Multiple public reprimands or censures
Discipline for dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation
Prior disbarment (even if reinstated)
Current "inactive" or "administrative suspension" status (may indicate failure to pay dues or complete CLE, or may indicate interim suspension for serious misconduct)

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all discipline records public?

Public discipline — censure, suspension, disbarment — is generally a matter of public record. Private admonishments and dismissed complaints are typically not public. The public record may not reflect the full picture of an attorney's disciplinary history.

Can I check if a lawyer is licensed in my state?

Yes. Every state bar's online directory shows whether an attorney is currently licensed and in good standing. An attorney who holds themselves out as licensed but appears in inactive or suspended status may be engaging in the unauthorized practice of law.

What does 'administrative suspension' mean?

Administrative suspension typically means the attorney has been suspended for failure to pay bar dues, failure to complete mandatory continuing legal education, or similar administrative non-compliance. It does not necessarily indicate misconduct, but it does mean the attorney is not currently authorized to practice law.

Is there a national database of disciplined attorneys?

The ABA maintains the National Lawyer Regulatory Data Bank, which tracks attorney discipline across states, but it is not publicly accessible. For public records, you must check each state bar individually. Some states share discipline information with others through reciprocal discipline processes.

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