how can i see if someone js an attorney

by Herbert Stark 10 min read

So if you're curious, use these five quick ways to research whether your lawyer is legit:
  1. State Bar Profile. Every lawyer who is licensed to practice law in your home state must be listed in your state bar association's directory. ...
  2. Google / Search Engines. ...
  3. Yelp. ...
  4. The Attorney's Own Website. ...
  5. Third-Party Rating Groups.
Sep 18, 2014

How to find out if a lawyer is a real attorney?

Jun 11, 2014 · 2. If they own a business, the attorney might be listed on the corporate information filings as the counsel for the company. 3. If the person is a public figure, the lawyer may have taken part in press releases, appearances or contracts that would be in the news. This does not constitute legal advice or the engagement of my services as an attorney.

What should I do if I find out someone is not an attorney?

Feb 28, 2014 · If a person is really an attorney, they'll have an identifying number with the Oregon State Bar (this answer applies to Oregon). You can then check them out professionally at osbar.org. Oddly, if the client has asked that the lawyer keep his name confidential, then the lawyer can't tell you who he represents.

How to find out if someone has power of attorney?

To find out whether an attorney has been disciplined, you must first determine the state or states in which an attorney is licensed, and then go to the website for the bar association for that state. The American Bar Association maintains an online listing of each state’s lawyer disciplinary agency. You can then search for that attorney’s name in the state bar’s record to see whether …

How do I find out if a lawyer has been disciplined?

Mar 27, 2010 · Check the power of attorney records at the register or recorder of deeds in the county where the individual who created the instrument resides. In some states a power of attorney can be filed with the register or recorder of deeds. However, this is not the common practice today. Contact the Person who Granted the Power of Attorney

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What happens if an attorney does not represent the client?

If the attorney does not represent the client, which I would ask to be confirmed in writing, then you have no obligation to provide any information regarding a case. In some situations, (such as if YOU were an attorney yourself), it would be an ethical violation for you to say anything.

What is the obligation of a real attorney?

A "real attorney" has an obligation to maintain client confidentiality and not tell any Tom, Dick or Harry who s/he represents unless the client has specifically authorized them to do so.

What happens if you don't disclose who you represent?

Furthermore, if you or your company is involved with litigation and represented by an attorney already, any other attorneys should never contact you but should go through your attorney directly. This is an ethical rule. If the person tries to contact you again instead of your attorney, let your attorney know right away.

Do you have to disclose the name of the client in a lawsuit?

In that case, the attorney doesn't need to disclose the name of the client. However, your situation sounds a little suspicious. If your company is involved in law suit with an individual, your company's attorney should be talking with the individual's attorney.

Can an attorney disclose who they are working for?

An attorney is not allowed to disclose who they are working for, unless they have that person's permission. Attorneys,for example, are not allowed to post a listing of their clients, unless each clients has given permission to be on the list. It is rarely in the client's best interest to have it revealed who their attorney is, and so the attorney should rarely ask to list such things. But, if an attorney is representing a person in a particular matter and if they are contacting an opposing party, then they should say who they are representing. But, this is not always the case and it depends what the situation is. For example, lawyers are allowed to act on someone's behalf and not reveal who they are working for, or even that they are working for anyone. This is often the case, especially in big real estate bargaining. However, if someone calls you for information and you are not satisfied that they have a right to know, you do not need to answer or give them any information at all. If a lawyer is representing a person and is going to discuss or negotiate on the person's behalf, they will let you know they are engaged to represent the person in that dealing. If there is a court case pending and a lawyer is officially representing a party, they will put their name on the court filings, and will often send letter saying whom they represent. Often, a lawyer may seek information on behalf of a client, but not want to reveal for whom they work. It is up to you to decide whether you wish to give such a person information. The one main thing a lawyer cannot do is lie and say they represent someone they do not represent. So if you ask a lawyer whom they represent in the matter, if anyone, the lawyer is not allowed to falsely name someone. But, they can refuse to answer, and you can refuse to discuss with them. However, in some locations, there are special rules about a lawyer acting as a real estate agent being allow to bluff certain things. To accurately answer your question, I would need all the details.

Is the identity of a client confidential?

The identity of a client is usually considered to be confidential information - so the attorney was correct in not answering your question. Usually, it is only after the client grants permission to the lawyer to reveal the relationship - then the attorney is permitted to do so.

Is a lawyer's communication confidential?

Communications between an attorney and the attorney's client are confidential unless the client waives the privilege. There are, however, many exceptions. Since you did not mention having any exceptional legal relationship to the client or the client's attorney, the answer most likely is no. Report Abuse.

Where to check power of attorney?

Check the power of attorney records at the register or recorder of deeds in the county where the individual who created the instrument resides. In some states a power of attorney can be filed with the register or recorder of deeds. However, this is not the common practice today.

How to verify a power of attorney?

Verify the authenticity of the power of attorney document presented to you. In many states, a power of attorney must be notarized. The presence of a notary's stamp and signature is usually enough evidence that the power is a legitimate document. If you're concerned, run an internet search for the notary and ask him or her to verify that the stamp on the document is the notary's official seal. Contacting witnesses is another avenue to explore. Often, powers of attorney bear the signature of an independent witness who watched the principal sign the power. See if you can contact the witness – the address should be written beneath the witness's signature – and ask if she remembers attending the signing.

What happens if a power of attorney is not authentic?

If a power of attorney does not appear authentic to you, and you cannot independently verify its authentic ity, do not transact business with the purported agent. If the power of attorney turns out to be fraudulent, you can be held liable for any losses sustained by the alleged grantor through the transaction.

What is a notary signature line?

Types of Notarial Acts. A power of attorney is an instrument that a person uses to grant authority to an agent to act on his or her behalf. The two different types of instruments are health care and financial powers of attorneys. A third party preparing to transact business or take action in reliance on a power ...

What does a third party need to know about a power of attorney?

A third party preparing to transact business or take action in reliance on a power of attorney needs to verify who really does have authority under such an instrument to make decisions for another person.

Who is the grantor of a power of attorney?

The grantor is the individual who drafted and executed the power of attorney. Though this might seem to defeat the purpose of designating an agent to act on behalf of a grantor via a power of attorney, the typical grantor appreciates a third party taking the time to confirm the authenticity of a power of attorney.

Do you have to review the original power of attorney?

A duly authorized agent named in a power of attorney should have the original instrument in his or her possession. If you are being asked to take action by an individual contending he or she is an agent authorized to make decisions through a power of attorney, you must review the original instrument.

What is a power of attorney?

Powers of attorney are key estate planning documents. In the unfortunate event that you become unable to care for yourself, it is crucial that you grant a trusted party the authority to effectively make legal, financial, and medical decisions on your behalf. Through two key estate planning documents — the durable power of attorney and ...

Can you have multiple power of attorney?

Yes. You have the legal right to appoint multiple people as your power of attorney. You could even split your durable power of attorney and your medical power of attorney. The legal documents should state whether each agent has full, independent power or if they have to act jointly.

Can a doctor override a power of attorney?

Yes — but only in limited circumstances. If an advance medical directive is in place, the instructions in that document may override the decision of a power of attorney. Additionally, doctors may also refuse to honor a power of attorney’s decision if they believe that the agent is not acting in the best interest of the patient.

Can a durable power of attorney make medical decisions?

Can a Durable Power of Attorney Make Medical Decisions? No. A durable power of attorney is generally for legal decision making and financial decision making. To allow a trusted person to make health care decisions, grant them medical power of attorney.

Can a power of attorney withdraw money from a bank account without authorization?

No — not without express authorization to do so. A person with power of attorney does not need to add their own name to the bank account. They already have the legal authority to withdraw money from your account to take care of your needs.

Can a person change their power of attorney?

Yes. A durable power of attorney is a flexible legal document. As long as a person is mentally competent, they can change — even revoke — power of attorney.

Can you give a power of attorney to someone with dementia?

No. You must get consent to obtain a person’s power of attorney. Indeed, people who cannot consent, such as those with dementia, can no longer give their power of attorney to another party.

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