How to Check a Lawyer's License in Maryland

Before you hire a lawyer, it is reasonable to confirm that the person is authorized to practice law in Maryland. The official Maryland Judiciary website includes public tools for this purpose, and checking them takes only a few minutes. This guide explains where to look, what the status means, and how to find out about past discipline. It is general information, not advice about your situation. For background on the state, see Lawyers in Maryland.

Start with the official Attorney Listing

The Maryland Courts publish an Attorney Listing that lets you search for lawyers admitted to practice in the state. Search by the lawyer's name, and compare the name and any details on the result with the information the lawyer gave you. If you find more than one person with the same name, ask for a bar number or another identifier.

The listing also includes people who may no longer be authorized to practice. According to the official page, an attorney whose status is shown as "active" is considered in good standing. Other statuses can mean that a lawyer is inactive or retired, is serving as a judge, or is not authorized to practice because of a disciplinary or administrative action. If the status is anything other than active, ask the lawyer to explain it before you go further.

Understand the Attorney Information System

The Maryland Courts also run the Attorney Information System, where attorneys handle registration tasks such as paying assessments and filing compliance reports. For a quick check of a lawyer's status, the Attorney Listing is the better starting point. If you have a question about a lawyer's registration, the official Maryland Courts site is the place to confirm it.

Look up discipline and complaints

A license status alone does not tell you everything about a lawyer's history. The Attorney Grievance Commission oversees the conduct of Maryland attorneys and of nonmembers who practice law in the state. Its Office of Bar Counsel investigates conduct that may violate the Maryland Attorneys' Rules of Professional Conduct and, where appropriate, brings cases against lawyers.

The Maryland Courts site also includes a Disciplinary Actions page, which you can find in the site's menus. Review it to see whether a lawyer you are considering has a public disciplinary record. A clean record does not tell you whether a lawyer is a good fit for your case, and a past issue does not automatically rule out a lawyer, but both facts are worth understanding before you decide.

What to write down

When you check a lawyer, keep a short record. Note:

• The full name and any bar identification number the lawyer provided
• The status shown on the Attorney Listing, and the date you checked it
• Any public disciplinary actions you found, and whether they were resolved
• Questions you want to ask the lawyer about those results

This record is useful if you later compare several lawyers or need to explain your choice to someone else.

Know what the Client Protection Fund does

The Client Protection Fund of the Bar of Maryland was created to protect the integrity of the legal profession. Its official page explains that the fund, supported financially by practicing attorneys, can reimburse certain claimants for losses. The fund is a separate question from whether a lawyer is licensed or disciplined, so ask about it directly if you have concerns about money you paid to a lawyer.

Other questions to ask

Verifying a license is only one step in choosing a lawyer. Along with the license check, consider asking:

• Have you handled cases like mine in Maryland courts before?
• Who will work on my matter day to day, and how often will I hear from them?
• How do you charge, and will you give me that arrangement in writing?
• Do you carry professional liability insurance, and can you explain what it covers?
• What would you need from me to begin?

If you live in or near Baltimore, you can also browse lawyers in Baltimore to compare local firms by practice area. Whichever firm you consider, confirm its license on the official listing before you sign an agreement.

Frequently asked questions

What if I cannot find the lawyer on the Attorney Listing? Double-check the spelling of the name, and ask the lawyer which name they are admitted under and whether they have a bar identification number. Do not rely on a verbal assurance. If the lawyer still does not appear, ask them to explain before you go further, and consider contacting the Attorney Grievance Commission with questions about the process.

Does an "active" status mean a lawyer is a good fit for my case? No. An active status means the lawyer is shown as authorized to practice in Maryland and considered in good standing. It does not tell you whether the lawyer has experience in your type of matter, how they communicate, or how they charge.

How often should I check the status? Check it when you first look at a lawyer and again shortly before you sign an agreement. Statuses can change, and a lookup you did weeks ago may no longer reflect the current record.

Where do I look for discipline information? Start with the Disciplinary Actions page on the Maryland Courts site, which you can reach from the site's menus, and read the description of the Attorney Grievance Commission to understand what kinds of conduct it reviews. If you find an action that concerns you, ask the lawyer about it directly and keep a note of your conversation.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different. Talk to a licensed Maryland attorney about your situation.