Attorney Search

Californians rely on accurate, official information when hiring an attorney. This in-depth guide explains exactly how to use the State Bar of California’s Attorney Search to verify a lawyer’s license and status, review discipline records, and spot useful details like practice areas, languages, and certified specialties. You’ll also learn how to read search results, track license status changes, understand important disclaimers, and take next steps if you need legal help, want a specialist, have a problem with a lawyer, or need to explore fee disputes or client reimbursement. Everything here comes from official State Bar resources to keep your Attorney Search research authoritative and current.

Use Attorney Search to Start Strong

When you’re evaluating a California lawyer, your first stop should be the State Bar’s official Attorney Search. This government tool lets you look up any California licensee by name or bar number, confirm whether they’re authorized to practice, and review past or present discipline and administrative status.

Start with the main Attorney Search page and enter the attorney’s first and last name—or the California bar number if you have it. The search also supports a “similar sounding names” option, which helps when you’re unsure about spelling. Keep the State Bar’s note in mind: the search can’t handle extended characters (for instance, search “Nunez” instead of “Nuñez”), so if a name contains accented or special characters, try the unaccented equivalent to surface the record. Use the bar number whenever possible; it’s the fastest route to an exact match and avoids confusion with common names.
Use the Attorney Search tool with this link integrated into your workflow: use Attorney Search.

Master Advanced Attorney Search Filters Like a Pro

Dial in precise names, firms, and locations

If your initial query returns several results—or you want a broader view of potential counsel—use the State Bar’s Advanced Attorney Search fields. You can mix and match:

Name fields with “Sounds like,” “Contains,” “Begins with,” or “Is exactly” for first, middle, and last names.

Firm name to locate attorneys at a particular practice.

Location inputs by city, state, county, zip, and State Bar district (District 1 through District 6, plus “Outside California”) to hone in on local options.

This structure makes it easier to separate look-alikes (e.g., multiple attorneys named “John Lee”) and to find lawyers where you live or where a case will be filed.

Add practice insight without over-relying on it

The advanced tool includes self-reported practice areas (e.g., family law, personal injury, real estate) and languages spoken. These fields are not verified by the State Bar. They’re there to help you generate a candidate list—not to certify experience. The Bar explicitly requires users to acknowledge a disclaimer stating it does not verify self-reported practice areas and makes no warranties about experience or competence related to them. Use these fields to filter, then verify through certified specialty data or an interview.

Find certified specialists with the official directory

If your matter demands specialized expertise—tax, appellate, criminal law, workers’ compensation, estates and trusts, and more—pair your Attorney Search with the State Bar’s certification program. To confirm that a lawyer is certified by the State Bar of California in a recognized specialty, use the official Legal Specialist Search to look up certified specialists by specialty and county: check the Legal Specialist Search directory.

Read an Attorney’s Profile Like a Seasoned Researcher

License status and history

An attorney’s profile will show whether they are Active, Inactive, Not Eligible, Resigned, Disbarred, or subject to other status conditions. It will also reflect administrative changes (e.g., suspension for non-payment) or discipline. Treat the license status as a must-check item before signing an engagement letter.

Discipline and administrative actions

The Attorney Search and related State Bar resources allow you to see whether the attorney has been publicly disciplined (e.g., reproval, suspension) or has other status changes on record. For macro-level visibility into recent changes across the profession, review the Notice of License Status Changes Dashboard to monitor disciplinary and administrative status changes for California attorneys: browse the official Notice of License Status Changes Dashboard.

For case-level information, the State Bar Court is the specialized court for attorney discipline. When you need to understand the nature of a discipline proceeding or outcome, consult the official court site here: visit the State Bar Court. You can also explore statewide discipline metrics via the Bar’s Discipline Statistics portal: see Discipline Statistics.

Certified specialties vs. self-reported practice areas

Treat certified specialties as verified credentials and self-reported practice areas as directional intel. If a profile claims a focus area but there’s no matching certification in a recognized specialty, treat it like a talking point for your consult: ask for representative matters, trial experience, published work, or references.

Languages and accessibility

Profiles can display languages spoken. If you need a bilingual attorney, filter for that in the advanced search and verify it during the initial call. Availability of accommodations is not part of the profile; discuss needed accommodations directly with the firm.

Get Reliable Results for Similar Names and Special Characters

Names are a major source of search friction. Follow these tips to match the State Bar’s search logic:

Accents & special characters: Replace accented characters with standard letters (e.g., “García” → “Garcia”).

Hyphenated or compound names: Try with and without hyphens, and consider “Contains” to catch variants.

Middle names & initials: Use the middle name field and test “Begins with” or “Is exactly” to narrow results.

Similar sounding names: Toggle “Include similar sounding names” to catch phonetic variations and common misspellings.

If you’re still unable to find a record, switch to the bar number (if available), test “Begins with” for partial entries, or expand the city/county radius.

Vet Provisionally Licensed Lawyers the Same Way

California’s Provisionally Licensed Lawyers program appears in State Bar resources with a dedicated search. If your candidate is participating under provisional authorization, verify them through the official Provisionally Licensed Lawyers lookup: confirm using Provisionally Licensed Lawyers. You’ll evaluate these profiles with the same caution—checking scope, supervision arrangements, and any listed practice focus.

Combine Attorney Search With Certified Referrals When You Need a Shortlist

Sometimes you don’t have a specific name. You just need one or two reputable lawyers who handle your exact issue in your county. California solves this with Certified Lawyer Referral Services (LRS): organizations vetted by the State Bar and required to meet standards approved by the California Supreme Court. These services can:

Pre-screen for license and good standing.
Match you with attorneys in the right field of law.
Help you determine if a non-lawyer solution or mediation fits better.
Offer a reduced-fee or no-fee initial consultation in many cases.

Find local, certified services through the official Certified Lawyer Referral Services Directory. After you receive a referral, still run the name through Attorney Search to confirm license status and check discipline before you hire.

For broader prep on interviewing candidates, fees, and expectations, the State Bar’s consumer guide Finding the Right Lawyer is a helpful companion to your Attorney Search steps.

Fact-Check Profiles Against Rules and Discipline Infrastructure

Know the rulebook that governs lawyers

California lawyers are regulated by the Rules of Professional Conduct adopted by the California Supreme Court. If your matter involves trust funds, conflicts of interest, advertising, or confidentiality concerns, use the rule set to frame your questions during consults. You can open the Current Rules directly from the Bar: read the Rules of Professional Conduct (Current Rules).

Cross-reference discipline pathways

If an Attorney Search result shows discipline, you can cross-check how discipline works through the State Bar Court, which adjudicates these matters, and the Bar’s Discipline Statistics portal, which publishes aggregated metrics. These official pages (linked above) are useful for context and transparency.

Evaluate Fit Beyond the License: Practical Signals to Review

An Attorney Search result gives you guardrails—Is this person licensed? In good standing? Any discipline?—but you’ll still want to evaluate fit for your case:

Subject-matter experience: Use Attorney Search to note any claimed practice areas. Then ask for concrete examples (settlements, trials, injunctions, transactions) tied to your facts.

Certified specialist status: Confirm through the Legal Specialist Search if a recognized specialty is important in your case type.

Communication & logistics: Note languages listed in the profile, then verify in your consult. Ask about response times, who handles your matter, and how billing updates arrive.

Trust funds & billing: If a matter requires a retainer, confirm the firm’s client trust account procedures and written fee agreement practices; if disputes arise later, you can explore the Bar’s Lawyer Fee Dispute program. See Lawyer Fee Dispute.

If Something Seems Off, Use the Bar’s Official Help Channels

Start with the Public Trust Liaison for process questions

If you’ve used Attorney Search and still have concerns or don’t understand part of an attorney’s status history, consult the State Bar’s Public Trust Liaison. This office helps members of the public navigate State Bar processes and understand what resources exist. Learn more here: read about the Public Trust Liaison.

File a complaint if necessary—online and official

If you believe a California attorney violated ethics rules or engaged in misconduct, you can file a complaint directly with the State Bar. The How to File a Complaint page explains the process and expectations: How to File a Complaint. When you’re ready, submit the Attorney Complaint through the Bar’s official online portal: file an Attorney Complaint.

If your concern involves someone who is not an attorney engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, the State Bar has a separate channel for that: visit Unauthorized Practice of Law Complaint.

Discipline transparency and adjudication

Once a complaint is filed, investigations and proceedings follow the Bar’s regulatory framework, and disciplinary matters are heard in the State Bar Court. For a broad view of outcomes and timelines across the system, consult the Bar’s Discipline Statistics page referenced earlier.

Protect Your Finances: Fee Disputes and Client Reimbursement

Resolve fee disagreements with a structured process

If you and your lawyer disagree about fees or costs, California’s Mandatory Fee Arbitration structure and related programs create an official pathway for resolution. The Bar’s consumer materials provide clear steps for setting expectations, reviewing your written fee agreement, and pursuing fee arbitration. Use the State Bar’s consumer resource at Lawyer Fee Dispute to orient yourself before you proceed.

Seek reimbursement through the Client Security Fund when appropriate

If you suffered a financial loss caused by attorney misconduct (for example, misappropriation of funds), review the State Bar’s Client Security Fund program. It explains eligibility and how to apply for reimbursement. For details and application steps, consult the official page: learn about the Client Security Fund.

Build a Smart Shortlist: Blend Attorney Search With Certified Referrals

The most efficient path for many people is a two-step approach:

Use a Certified Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) to get one or two pre-screened, local, and relevant attorneys for your legal issue. Start in the Certified Lawyer Referral Services Directory.

Run each referral through Attorney Search to verify license status and check discipline. If you need a certified specialist, confirm that through the Legal Specialist Search directory.

From there, conduct brief interviews, review proposed fee agreements, ask how the firm handles client trust funds, and request a written scope of services. Use your Attorney Search notes to ask pointed follow-ups about any status history, prior discipline, or administrative suspensions (for example, non-payment or MCLE compliance issues) you saw in the profile.

Understand What Attorney Search Does—and Does Not—Verify

Attorney Search is authoritative on license status and records maintained by the State Bar. But it does not verify everything in a profile:

Self-reported practice areas: Not verified by the State Bar and subject to the consumer disclaimer displayed in the Advanced Search.

Experience claims: Not validated by the Bar; confirm during consultations.

Languages: Helpful directional info; verify directly with the firm.

For verified expertise, rely on the State Bar’s certified specialist program and confirm via the Legal Specialist Search directory.

Keep Tabs on Status Shifts That Affect Your Case

Status can change—especially in long matters. When you hire counsel, consider calendar reminders to periodically re-check the Attorney Search profile. For broader awareness, the Bar’s Notice of License Status Changes Dashboard aggregates disciplinary and administrative changes across California lawyers; it’s useful if you’re monitoring multiple counsel or outside firms. Browse the Notice of License Status Changes Dashboard when you want a system-wide view.

When You Need Help Navigating the System

The State Bar’s consumer-facing pages bring together the public’s main needs around legal help, complaints and claims, fee disputes, and free legal information. If you need guidance beyond what you can glean from an Attorney Search profile, start with these official resources:

Finding a lawyer and preparing to hire: The Bar’s consumer guide Finding the Right Lawyer.

Questions about the Bar’s processes and services: The Public Trust Liaison page explains how the liaison helps members of the public.

Contact and service options: If you need to reach the Bar about records, compliance, or other support, use the official Contact Us page.

Put It All Together: A Step-by-Step Attorney Search Playbook

Start at Attorney Search and run the attorney’s full name and bar number if you have it. Use “Include similar sounding names” if you’re unsure about spelling, and drop special characters or accents to comply with the search tool’s limitations. Confirm license status.

Scan the profile for discipline history or administrative suspensions. Note any “Active,” “Inactive,” or “Not Eligible” status and date ranges.

Check for certified specialty when your case requires it by visiting the Legal Specialist Search directory and matching specialty/county.

Use Advanced Attorney Search fields for firm name and location to confirm you have the right person (especially important with common names).

Treat self-reported practice areas as leads, not proof. Use them to craft questions for your initial consultation.

If you don’t have names yet, pull one or two leads from a Certified Lawyer Referral Service; then run each referral through Attorney Search.

For ongoing matters, revisit the profile or scan the Notice of License Status Changes Dashboard to monitor any significant changes.

If problems arise, rely on official channels: How to File a Complaint, the Attorney Complaint portal, Lawyer Fee Dispute, and the Client Security Fund if you’ve suffered a financial loss because of attorney misconduct.

For process guidance, contact the Public Trust Liaison or use the Contact Us page for additional support.

Anchor expectations with the rules by reviewing the Current Rules of Professional Conduct relevant to your concerns.

Each move centers your decision-making on official, government-maintained information, keeping your hiring process factual and defensible.

Attorney Search—Relevant Departments, Addresses, and Phone Numbers

The State Bar of California — San Francisco (Main Office) — 180 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94105 — 415-538-2000

The State Bar of California — Los Angeles — 845 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90017 — 213-765-1000

Contact Center — (In California) 800-843-9053 — (Outside California) 415-538-2000

Client Security Fund — 213-765-1140

Fee Disputes — 415-538-2020

Ethics Hotline — 800-238-4427 — 415-538-2150

State Bar Court — 213-765-1400 — 415-538-2050

Lawyer Assistance Program — 877-527-4435

MCLE Providers — 415-538-2126