Check Law Society or Bar Records

Before you give any lawyer, or law firm, your hard-earned money (their retainer fee), and besides looking for specialization, such as trials or motions success rates, also think about checking for "suspensions" before hiring any lawyer, or attorney, in my opinion.

I have discovered, though, that some lawyers have been suspended more than once! There's a sample list in the JPG photo on this page, which I stumbled upon while looking at some cases of alleged professional misconduct.

This information could come from a Law Society or Bar Association. Unfortunately, most such organizations will only tell you if they are "in good standing" or the lawyer "is insured" with their malpractice insurance. I am not aware of any that will give you a lawyer's history of suspension(s) , complaints, or other disciplinary action(s).

In Canada, there are usually two levels of "disciplinary" action: If a complaint is received, the "complaints committee" looks at it. If repeated complaints or very serious evidence is discovered by the complaints committee, the lawyer is referred to the Law Society's Discipline Committee. This takes years, in some cases, while the lawyer in question continues to practice. In many cases, a "reprimand" is all that is handed out, for "professional misconduct".

Therefore, it is fairly difficult for a layman (you, the potential client) to check out lawyers' track record for misconduct or disciplinary action. Most of the records are not online, except for disbarment. For example, at least one of the names, on this photo list, does not come up, on this particular document that I found and show here, on a Google search.


Incidentally, before hiring any lawyer:
http://my-best-lawyer.blogspot.com/

Trial lawyers and motions lawyers:
http://trial-or-motion.blogspot.com/

Link to: Confessions of a Personal Injury Attorney
http://inside-personal-injury.blogspot.com/






DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer. I do not provide "legal advice". My blogs on, how to pick lawyers, (that includes looking for a dui lawyer, defense lawyer, civil lawyer, criminal lawyer, divorce lawyer, employment lawyer, lawyer firms, lawyer counsel, pro bono lawyer) are entirely my opinions and views and may not agree with others' views and opinions. I am a researcher and information-collector. If you need help in teaching you how to research lawyers by yourself, please contact me.

Opinions herein blogged by: wiseuncle [@] operamail [dot] com

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