By Serdar Arslan, editor · Last reviewed · 8 min read · How we research
A billboard on the highway, three sponsored results at the top of the search page, and a text from a number you don't recognize. None of them will tell you whether the lawyer behind them can be trusted: whether they're licensed, whether they've been disciplined, or whether they've ever handled a case like yours. You can check all of that yourself in about fifteen minutes, using free official sources.
We don't list or recommend lawyers. Everything below is about verifying a lawyer you're considering.
Step 1: Find candidates through neutral channels
Start somewhere that isn't paid to send you to a particular firm:
- Bar association lawyer referral services. The American Bar Association keeps a directory of lawyer referral services across the country. Many are run by state or local bar associations and match you with lawyers by practice area. Some require lawyers to meet experience standards in an area before receiving referrals.
- Recommendations from people you trust who had a similar case.
- Your state bar's website, which often lists certified specialists or referral services.
Find links for your state on our state law pages and our find a lawyer page, which points to official bar resources only.
Step 2: Verify the license
Every state has an official place to check whether someone is licensed to practice law there, usually the state bar or the state's highest court. A license lookup typically shows:
- Whether the lawyer is currently active and eligible to practice
- The date they were admitted
- Their official address of record
- Any public discipline (suspension, probation, reproval, disbarment)
The State Bar of California's consumer guidelines tell people to check a lawyer's license status, eligibility, and discipline history on the bar's website before hiring. It's sound advice anywhere.
Make sure the lawyer is licensed in the state where your case would be filed. That's usually the state where the crash happened. A lawyer licensed only in another state generally can't file your lawsuit there without special permission.
What to look for in the results
| You see | What it may mean |
|---|---|
| Active / eligible | Can practice law in that state |
| Inactive, not eligible, suspended | Cannot currently practice; don't hire for your case |
| Public discipline history | Read the details; consider how serious and how recent |
| No record found | Check spelling and other states; if still nothing, be cautious |
A single old, minor matter may not be a dealbreaker, but you should know about it before you sign anything.
Step 3: Watch for illegal solicitation
Some people get a call, a text, or even a knock on the hospital-room door within days of a crash, offering legal help. That should make you suspicious.
The ABA's Model Rule 7.3, which most states have adopted in some form, generally prohibits lawyers from soliciting clients through live person-to-person contact when a significant motive is the lawyer's financial gain. The rule has narrow exceptions, such as contact with another lawyer, a family member or close friend, or someone with a prior professional relationship with the lawyer. Even then, solicitation is barred if the person has said they don't want to be contacted, or if it involves coercion, duress, or harassment.
In 2022, the ABA's Formal Opinion 501 added that a lawyer's responsibility can extend to people working for or with the lawyer, such as employees or marketing firms. A lawyer can't avoid the rule by having someone else make the call.
Practical signs of a problem:
- Someone shows up at the hospital or your home offering a lawyer
- A stranger calls right after the crash and already knows your details
- A tow driver, body shop, or clinic worker pushes a specific lawyer and seems to benefit
- You're pressured to sign that day
State rules differ, and written advertising (letters, mailings) is treated differently from live contact. If something feels wrong, you can contact your state bar. The State Bar of California specifically warns consumers to be wary of attorneys who contact them in person or by phone to offer services.
Step 4: Ask questions in the consultation
Many injury lawyers offer a free first meeting. Bring a notepad and ask:
Experience
- How many car accident cases like mine have you handled?
- Do you take cases to trial, or mostly settle?
- Who will actually work on my case day to day?
Communication
- How often will I get updates?
- How quickly do you return calls or emails?
- Who do I contact with questions?
Fees and costs
- What percentage do you charge, and does it change if the case goes to trial or appeal?
- What costs might I owe, and are they taken out before or after your fee?
- Will I owe anything if we lose?
Strategy
- What are the main strengths and weaknesses of my case?
- What is my filing deadline?
- What do you need from me?
Be cautious of any lawyer who promises a specific outcome or settlement amount. Honest lawyers will talk about ranges and risks.
Step 5: Review the fee agreement
Under the ABA's Model Rule 1.5(c), a contingency fee agreement must be in writing and signed by the client. It must explain how the fee is calculated (including the percentage for settlement, trial, or appeal), what expenses will be deducted, whether those expenses come out before or after the fee is calculated, and any expenses you'd owe even if you lose. At the end, the lawyer must give you a written statement showing the outcome and how your share was calculated.
Read the agreement before you sign. Take it home if you need to. See contingency fees explained for a walkthrough, and try our attorney fee calculator.
Step 6: Other checks worth doing
- Malpractice insurance. The State Bar of California suggests asking whether the lawyer carries it. Some states require disclosure if they don't.
- Office and contact information. Make sure it matches the bar's records.
- Avoid cash payments. The California bar's guidelines advise against them.
- Keep copies of everything you sign and every message.
Your rights after you hire
- You can change lawyers. The State Bar of California notes you can fire your lawyer at any time, though a court's permission may be needed once a lawsuit is filed. The first lawyer may have a claim for part of the fee.
- You can ask for your file.
- You decide whether to settle. Your lawyer advises; the decision to accept or reject an offer is yours.
- You can complain. If you believe a lawyer acted unethically, your state bar or attorney discipline office handles complaints.
Quick checklist
| Check | Done? |
|---|---|
| Lawyer found through a neutral channel (referral service, trusted recommendation) | ☐ |
| License active in the state where the case would be filed | ☐ |
| Discipline history reviewed | ☐ |
| No in-person or live-call solicitation involved | ☐ |
| Consultation questions asked and answered | ☐ |
| Written, signed fee agreement reviewed | ☐ |
| Copy of the agreement kept | ☐ |
What to remember when hiring
- Begin with a bar referral service or someone you trust, never with whoever contacted you first.
- Look up the license and any discipline on your state's official site, every time.
- ABA Model Rule 7.3 generally bars live, in-person or phone solicitation for profit, and that covers people calling on the lawyer's behalf.
- Use the consultation to pin down experience, how they'll keep in touch, fees, and costs.
- A contingency agreement has to be written and signed, and it has to say how costs are handled.
- After you hire, the settlement decision is still yours. So is your file, and so is the right to switch lawyers.
Sources
- American Bar Association – Model Rule 7.3: Solicitation of Clients
- American Bar Association – ABA issues guidance on 'live person' lawyer solicitation (Formal Opinion 501)
- American Bar Association – Model Rule 1.5: Fees
- State Bar of California – Consumer Protection Guidelines for Hiring a Lawyer
- American Bar Association – Lawyer Referral Directory