Answer: Technically, everybody deserves a second chance.
But don't you want to know if the individual handling your personal injury case was once suspended from the practice of law for stealing funds from his office partner, his clients, and his girlfriend?
An attorney has access to your very sensitive personal data – basically, your life's story.
Personal Injury Attorney Interview Sheet
Worksheet with questions to ask a personal injury attorney to help determine if he or she will be a good fit for your case
Download in PDF format
This person is a fiduciary, and your financial welfare is tied to this attorney's performance. Trust needs to exist at every level and in every transaction you have.
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?"
Attorneys generally aren't keen on talking about that sort of thing, and the kind of person who has been suspended probably isn't going to freely talk about it.
This means you have to take matters into your own hands and do a little sleuthing.
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.
You can look at your state's bar association website and search for that attorney by name or license number.
Example: Colorado Supreme Court
Using Colorado as an example, the state Supreme Court provides a simple attorney search webpage that allows users to search by name or bar number. Results shows whether the attorney is active, inactive, suspended or disbarred.
Each state has a similar search function.
The Florida Bar says that every year it opens 7,500 files to investigate possible misconduct of the 103,000 lawyers it regulates.
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.
You can find reviews on Facebook, in popular directories and by simply Googling an attorney by his or her name. You should include the city to make sure you’ve got the right one – there are a lot of lawyers!
Informal online reviews will give you a sense of what it’s like to work with an attorney, including any complaints and praise from past clients
So do your homework, kids! A quick Internet search can save you a very uncomfortable conversation later on.
Robert H. Biggerstaff says
Need attorney to file complaint against another attorney who is guilty of professional misconduct and who may be incompetent. He is NOT my attorney.
Robert H. Biggerstaff says
The KY Bar Association seeking an attorney advised seeking an attorney to file an unethical complaint against an incompetent attorney
Rob Shipley says
Need a law firm to assist. Two [2] large lawsuits against four [4] crooked lawyers who wasted more than $300,000 of the small town’s taxpayer dollars…….re=prosecuting me and re-prosecuting me and re-prosecuting me for the very same……….goofy……….very minor misdemeanor…………Public Nuisance…….13 + years……..not ever any single one [1] written and signed complaint from any members of the general public…….never one [1].
Lawsuits needing lawyers…………seeking seventeen million dollars [$17,000,000}.
All research is already done……..have over a 700 page case file.
Ian Pisarcik says
Thanks for the comment, Rob. I would recommend calling your local state bar association. The association has a referral line that can recommend an attorney for your issue. In addition, the association has a disciplinary department where you can lodge a complaint against an attorney to be investigated.
Alias Steve says
Be aware of the unprofessional and incompetent property attorney . . .
where can i file complaint against him?
Melissa Gold says
Hi, Steve. You can contact your state bar association if you have a complaint about a lawyer.
J says
My trail lawyer was hired by another law firm ..because the advertising said they were trail lawyers..so now I have a lawyer who I don’t really talk to, who’s been on my case now since 2018 and I’m not satisfied, but can’t leave..he has not given me a direct line to contact him..I have been in contact with the original lawyer hired and the office manager told me they have complaints against him also.. I disagree with compensation , and all aspects I dealt with myself.. Retaining my own rental , getting back my depreciated value (for a brand new car) , and finding my own chiropractor and faxing over photo’s to his office , all reports that I had from any relatable treatment.. And he still got 10,000 just to get the check the insurance company owed anyway due to my injuries and the policy max allowed for claim on the insured insurance…what should I do I just wanna be done with him..My deposition was in May 2020..I left a message with a rep to see what was the status 3 weeks ago…nothing..
Ian Pisarcik says
You always have a right to terminate the attorney-client relationship (i.e., fire your lawyer). To do so, simply draft a letter informing your attorney that you’re terminating the attorney-client relationship. You can also request that the attorney give your file to your new lawyer so that your new lawyer doesn’t have to start from scratch.
If you need help finding a new attorney, you can use our free online directory.
MASSOOD DANESH says
I have already drafted pro-se complaint for a Civil Malicious Prosecution, against a law firm in Houston, who conspired with several other individual and filed a meritless complaint. I am now seeking for a Malpractice attorney to represent my real estate Company.
Jaxx Raine says
I don’t get it, at all.
John Grey says
Be aware of the unprofessional and incompetent property attorney . . .
where can I file a complaint against him?
Ian Pisarcik says
You can file a complaint against an attorney with your state bar association.