how to find out if your attorney can practice in other states

by Madisen Willms 8 min read

For the public, the best way to confirm that an attorney is licensed to practice law in a particular jurisdiction is to contact the licensing or regulatory agency in that state that grants the bar license. In most states, the licensing or regulatory agency is managed by the state bar or the state bar association.

Each State Has Its Own Bar, Requirements
Attorneys generally can only practice law in the state where they took and passed the bar exam.
Mar 6, 2015

Full Answer

How do I find out if someone is licensed to practice law?

Mar 06, 2015 · As such, an immigration attorney admitted to practice law in any state can represent a client before DHS, USCIS, the BIA, or any immigration court in any other state. You would not need to hire an out-of-state immigration attorney. Deciding on which attorney to hire is hard enough; figuring out where to find the attorney can be even harder. FindLaw's Lawyer …

How do I find a qualified attorney out of State?

Lawyer Licensing. Lawyers are licensed by a state agency in each state. That agency can help you to find out if a person has a law license and is permitted to practice in a particular state. Select a state from the list below for the agency in your state. New Hampshire - Call the New Hampshire Bar Association (603-224-6942) to determine if a person is licensed to practice law and in …

Where can I find a lawyer in the US?

Feb 15, 2021 · If you need to find out whether an attorney is licensed to practice in a particular state, then visit the above list of attorney directories maintained by each state's bar association. Often called the "roll of attorneys," these directories provide the most updated contact information and disciplinary record for each attorney.

How do I find out if an attorney has been disciplined?

Feb 24, 2016 · Check with the reciprocity state bar to make sure you are licensed to practice law in any state. Multiple State Admissions. In order to maximize employability and have the ability to take clients in different states, many attorneys opt …

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How Do I Hire an Out-Of-State Attorney?

If you are involved in a legal matter that already has you working with an in-state attorney, your attorney can often work with you to retain an out-of-state attorney to handle that piece of the legal work that is under the jurisdiction of the out-of-state court.

What is Required of Out-Of-State Lawyers?

In your search for a qualified attorney out of state, there are some additional things to keep in mind. Your attorney should have received a law degree and passed the bar examination required by their state. These are prerequisites in most states for becoming an attorney licensed to practice law.

What if I Really Like My Local Lawyer and Want Them to Represent Me Out of State?

Attorneys are required to be licensed in the state in which the legal issue arises or is being litigated, in order to avoid the illegal practice of law that may deprive a client of a full, and proper legal representation.

Should I Discuss My Out-of-State Case with a Lawyer?

If you are dealing with a legal matter in another state, you should consult with an attorney in that state. In finding the right attorney for you, you should conduct the same due diligence that you would if you were hiring hiring an attorney in your state of residence.

List of State Lawyer Licensing Databases

How do you check to see if an attorney has a valid bar license to practice law in a given state?

How to Search for an Attorney by Speciality

All of these directories allow you to search for the attorney by name.

How to Find Disciplinary Records Online

Use the links below to select the state where the attorney practices law. Then go to the state bar site to search the attorney's name or bar number. On many of these directories, you can see if the license has ever been inactive or if the attorney was disciplined for misconduct.

Ellen Cronin Badeaux

No. Under both Choice of Laws principals and the UCJEA you only need a KY family law attorney to register the TX Judgment.#N#Then file for custody and relocation in KY if you are seeking custody or just a modification.

Larry Bernard Hampton Jr

If Kentucky has become the "home state" of the children under the UCJEA, then you may only need a Kentucky lawyer, but if you need one licensed in both states, you will probably have to use google and make several phone calls until you find one who practices custody law.

Is another bar exam required?

If you’re committed to moving to a new jurisdiction but would like to keep your practice and clients from your former jurisdiction, consider whether opening a “virtual” law practice is an option. A virtual law practice allows an attorney to practice under the law of their former jurisdiction while being physically located elsewhere.

Reciprocity and licensing

If you are required to be admitted to the bar in your new state, you’ll need to determine whether you must take another bar exam, or if you can be licensed to practice under the new state’s bar through your bar admission in your old state via admission on motion.

Notifying clients of your move

If you are moving to a new job in your new jurisdiction, you must wind up your practice in your old jurisdiction in an ethically responsible manner.

Conclusion

Moving to a new jurisdiction as an attorney can be daunting, but need not involve starting fresh with a new bar exam—or even a new practice, if you can continue virtually representing your clients from your former jurisdiction. You will, however, need to promptly notify your clients of your move if you are not able to continue to represent them.

What is reciprocity in law?

Reciprocity. Considered in some senses to be the best way to move to another state, reciprocity allows you to waive into a new jurisdiction. The advantage of waiving in is that you become a full-fledged member of the bar in your new state, with all the attendant benefits (such as being able to practice on your own, in court, with no restrictions).

Is it safe to practice federal law?

Building a practice based on federal law is a safe alternative to allow you great physical mobility. Some areas of law are entirely federal in nature, and as such, you may be able to practice them in a state in which you are not admitted to the bar, so long as you are licensed in one of the U.S. states or territories. Some areas for such practices are bankruptcy, antitrust, immigration, Social Security, and trademark and patent.

What is the UBE exam?

Uniform Bar Exam. The proliferation of states administering and accepting the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) means a lot of questions about how scores can be used. If you took the UBE, check with the state to which you plan to move to see if your score can be used for admission. This is not the same as reciprocity.

How long do you have to be licensed to practice law?

Reciprocity also typically requires that you be licensed and actually practicing for a period of time, normally five years. This makes admission on motion unlikely for newer lawyers.

What does legal insurance cover?

These plans vary. Many cover most, if not all, of the cost of legal consultations, document preparation, and court representation in routine legal matters. Other programs cover only advice and consultation with a lawyer.

How long can you be in jail for a crime?

Constitution guarantees you the right to be represented by a lawyer in any case in which you could be incarcerated for six months or more. State constitutions may guarantee your right to a lawyer for lesser crimes.

Can you be incarcerated for six months?

If you are accused of a crime, the U.S. Constitution guarantees you the right to be represented by a lawyer in any case in which you could be incarcerated for six months or more. State constitutions may guarantee your right to a lawyer for lesser crimes. If you cannot afford a lawyer, either the judge hearing the case will appoint a private lawyer to represent you free of charge or the government’s public defender will handle your case, also at no charge.

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How Do I Hire An Out-Of-State Attorney?

What Is Required of Out-Of-State Lawyers?

  • In your search for a qualified attorney out of state, there are some additional things to keep in mind. Your attorney should have received a law degree and passed the bar examination required by their state. These are prerequisites in most states for becoming an attorney licensed to practice law. You can check with the court website or bar association in the outside state to det…
See more on legalmatch.com

Should I Discuss My Out-Of-State Case with A Lawyer?

  • If you are dealing with a legal matter in another state, you should consult with an attorneyin that state. In finding the right attorney for you, you should conduct the same due diligence that you would if you were hiring hiring an attorney in your state of residence.
See more on legalmatch.com

Is Another Bar Exam Required?

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If you’re committed to moving to a new jurisdiction but would like to keep your practice and clients from your former jurisdiction, consider whether opening a “virtual” law practice is an option. A virtual law practice allows an attorney to practice under the law of their former jurisdiction while being physically located el…
See more on lawpracticetoday.org

Reciprocity and Licensing

  • If you are required to be admitted to the bar in your new state, you’ll need to determine whether you must take another bar exam, or if you can be licensed to practice under the new state’s bar through your bar admission in your old state via admission on motion. If your new state permits admission on motion, the process of being admitted varies according to that state’s bar. Some s…
See more on lawpracticetoday.org

Notifying Clients of Your Move

  • If you are moving to a new job in your new jurisdiction, you must wind up your practice in your old jurisdiction in an ethically responsible manner. Model Rule of Professional Conduct 1.4requires that a lawyer “keep the client reasonably informed” about the status of their case, which includes prompt client notification if an attorney must withdraw their representation due to their relocatio…
See more on lawpracticetoday.org

Conclusion

  • Moving to a new jurisdiction as an attorney can be daunting, but need not involve starting fresh with a new bar exam—or even a new practice, if you can continue virtually representing your clients from your former jurisdiction. You will, however, need to promptly notify your clients of your move if you are not able to continue to represent them. Keep these considerations in mind …
See more on lawpracticetoday.org