Reading a Law Firm Website: What You Can Verify

A law firm's website is often the first thing you see when you look for legal help. It is also marketing. That does not make it untrue, but it means you should read it the way you would read any advertisement: some details you can check, some you should ask about, and some tell you little on their own. This guide shows how to sort them out.

Start with what the site is for

A firm's website is written by or for the firm. Its job is to explain what the firm does and to get you to call. It may be accurate and helpful, but it is not an independent review. Use it to gather facts you can confirm elsewhere and to prepare questions for a first conversation.

Things you can verify yourself

The lawyers' names and licenses

Lawyers are licensed by individual states. Each state keeps a public record of licensed attorneys, often through the state bar, the state's highest court, or a licensing board. Write down the full name of each lawyer named on the site and the states where they say they are licensed. Then look them up.

In the state record, check:

• whether the license is active;
• whether there are public disciplinary records;
• whether the name and office address match the website.

If you are not sure which agency keeps the attorney record in your state, start at the USAGov state governments page, which links to official state websites and agencies.

A website that lists no individual lawyers, only a brand name, makes this step harder. That is a reason to ask, "Which licensed attorney will handle my case?"

The office address

Many sites list one or more office locations. You can check whether the address is a real office, a shared workspace, or a mailing address. A firm can work well from any of these, but it helps to know where you would actually meet someone, if you want to meet in person.

The courts they mention

Some sites say which courts the firm appears in. You can confirm what those courts handle on the USAGov courts page, which explains the difference between federal courts (for example, bankruptcy and immigration courts), state and territory courts (such as family and probate courts), and county and municipal courts (such as traffic courts). If your case belongs in a court the firm does not mention, ask whether they practice there.

Practice areas

Most sites list the kinds of cases the firm handles. A long list does not mean the firm handles all of them often. Compare the list with your problem, then ask how much of the firm's work is in your area.

Things you should ask about

Past results

Some sites describe past cases or settlements. Every case is different, and past results do not predict what will happen in yours. If a site or a lawyer says or implies that you will get a certain result, treat that as a warning sign. Ask instead: "What are the possible outcomes in a case like mine, and what affects them?"

Titles and labels

You may see words that suggest special status, such as "certified" or "board certified." In some states, lawyers can be certified in a field by an approved program. If a site uses such a term, ask which organization certified the lawyer and check that organization's own listing. Without that information, treat it as marketing language.

Reviews and testimonials

Reviews may be real, selected, or out of date. You usually cannot verify who wrote them. They can give a sense of how a firm communicates, but they are not a substitute for checking the license and asking your own questions.

Fees

A site may mention "free consultation" or "no fee unless we win." Ask exactly what that means. Which costs are separate from the fee? Who pays court costs and other expenses if the case does not produce money? Any fee terms should be explained in a written agreement before you hire the firm.

Warning signs

Be careful if a site:

• promises a specific result or a fast outcome;
• does not name any individual lawyer;
• pressures you to sign or pay immediately;
• asks for sensitive personal information before you have spoken to anyone;
• lists a license state that does not match the state where your case will be filed.

None of these proves a problem, but each one is a good reason to slow down and check.

Using directories alongside websites

Directories, including ours, help you see which firms say they work in a given state, city, and practice area. You can browse by area, such as personal injury, and then visit each firm's website. A directory listing is not a recommendation either. The license record in the state is still the main fact you can check yourself. More tips are on our guides page.

Bring your notes to the first call

As you read a firm's site, keep a short list: lawyer names, license states, office address, practice areas, and any questions. When you call, ask your questions and compare the answers with what you read. If the answers match and the license checks out, you have a solid base for your decision.

Frequently asked questions

Can I trust everything on a law firm's website?

A website is advertising written for the firm. Some facts, such as licenses, can be checked in the state's public attorney record. Others, such as results, you should ask about.

How do I check if a lawyer on a website is licensed?

Look up the lawyer's name in the public attorney search of the state that licensed them. Check that the license is active and see whether public discipline is listed.

Do past case results mean I will get the same outcome?

No. Each case depends on its own facts and the law that applies. A lawyer can explain possible outcomes but cannot promise one.

What if a firm's website lists no lawyers by name?

Ask which licensed attorney will handle your case and check that person's license before you hire the firm.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different — talk to a licensed attorney about your situation.