I know someone who "claims" to be lawyer. How can I check their claims out?

Question

I'd like to know if this person really went to law school, where he went, grade point average, and where he ranked in his graduating class.

Answer 1

Not all lawyers who are licensed to practice are members of the American Bar Association or a state bar association. Online services such as Martindale-Hubbel's martindale.com or lawyers.com do not contain a complete list. Because of that, it is best to contact the licensing authority in the state.

In Pennsylvania, you would use a website managed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's Disciplinary Board to determine the lawyer's status. Here is a link to the attorney search function: http://www.padisciplinaryboard.org/pa_attorney_search.php

To find out if an attorney is licensed in Maryland, use this website: http://www.courts.state.md.us/cpf/attylist.html

To find out if an attorney is licensed in Ohio, use this website: http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/atty_reg/Public_AttorneyInformation.asp

If an attorney is listed on the Martindale website, http://www.martindale.com, you should be able to find out where he or she went to college and law school. More information is typically available if attorneys purchase a more complete listing, including law review [typically an indication that the attorney was in top 10% of class], honorary societies such as Order of the Coif, and whether the graduation was c u m laude, etc.

I do not know of any website that would list class rank or grade point average.

Answer 2

Each state has an office that regulates attorneys, and there are similar offices for all professions. The names vary widely, but doing a web search for "attorney license {state}" will probably work. Or you could just call someone you KNOW is an attorney and ask them to tell you.

What that agency can tell you if they are licensed is the date they received it, and whether or not they are currently in good standing. They may or may not even keep a record of what school the attorney attended once they are licensed, and certainly don't know about their GPA or class rank.

I wouldn't get hung up about GPA or class rank anyway. When I first took the Bar Exam, only 55% of us passed it on the first attempt, and not a single person who passed was on the Dean's List of the top 10% GPA's. When trying to compare schools, realize that they all pretty much use the same books and teach from the same body of case law.

Answer 3

Every state has a State Bar Association. Lawyers are listed on the records and most include where they went to school, where they have worked, specialties, if they have had action taken against their license, etc.

As far as GPA, I can't imagine that any organization would think that that was public information or anyone else's business.

Answer 4

I can understand wanting to know if he's a lawyer. In the US all lawyers who are allowed to practice in a state are admitted to the state bar. You can search those records online.

What I don't understand is why you want the GPA and the class rank. This sounds more like a personal vendeta to embarass him even if he is a lawyer.

Answer 5

Call the American bar association. They will direct you. Lawyers, have to have licenses to practice, They have to pass a state test. They will tell you who you can call to find out Whatever it is you need to know. Then call your better business bureau to see if they are reliable.

Answer 6

If they are a licensed attorney they will have a state bar license. Call up your state bar and see if they have a license to practice and if they are board certified.

Answer 7

hehe go through his **** - lol - and find out :P

no school, uni, or workplace will be allowed to share personal info on anyone -

or hire a private investigator :P to pu you out of your misery

they seem to always suss everything out

:P

Answer 8

American Bar Association.

Or outright ask him/her they have to tell you.