Lawyers in Pennsylvania

Finding a lawyer in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's court system is organized by county, and so is much of its legal profession. Cases begin in the Court of Common Pleas of the county where they arise, with smaller matters heard by magisterial district judges outside Philadelphia and by Philadelphia Municipal Court in the city. A lawyer who practices daily in Allegheny County knows a different courthouse culture than one in Lancaster or Erie, even though both hold the same statewide license.

Use this directory to narrow the search by practice area first and by city second. Each listing shows where the firm is based and what it handles, and you contact the office yourself.

When you need a lawyer (and when you may not)

A Pennsylvania attorney is usually worth the cost when you have been charged with a crime, arrested for DUI, seriously hurt in a crash or on the job, served with divorce or custody papers, contacted by immigration authorities, or named in a lawsuit. Filing deadlines in Pennsylvania are set by statute and vary by claim type, so waiting to ask can close a door.

Disputes over modest sums can often be handled alone before a magisterial district judge, where the procedure is informal and many people appear without counsel. Simple traffic citations and routine forms fall into the same group. Because a first consultation is often free or inexpensive, it is still sensible to spend an hour confirming that your case is as simple as it looks.

Common practice areas in Pennsylvania

• Personal Injury — injury and wrongful-death claims against negligent parties and their insurers, usually on a contingency fee.
• Car Accident — crash claims, including the choice between full tort and limited tort coverage that Pennsylvania drivers make on their auto policies.
• Family & Divorce — divorce, custody, child and spousal support and protection-from-abuse matters in the Court of Common Pleas.
• Criminal Defense — defense from the preliminary hearing before a district judge through trial in common pleas court or federal court.
• DUI & DWI — impaired-driving charges and the related license consequences handled through PennDOT.
• Immigration — a federal practice; Philadelphia has a federal immigration court.
• Bankruptcy — a federal practice filed in the Eastern, Middle or Western District of Pennsylvania.
• Estate Planning & Probate — wills, trusts and estate administration through the county Register of Wills and Orphans' Court.
• Real Estate — closings, title, landlord-tenant and zoning matters.
• Workers' Compensation — job-injury claims under the state system administered by the Bureau of Workers' Compensation.
• Employment, Medical Malpractice, Social Security Disability and Business — also well represented among Pennsylvania firms.

How to check a lawyer's license in Pennsylvania

The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania keeps the official record. Its online attorney search lists every lawyer admitted in the state with their current status, county of practice and any public discipline. Look for "Active" status and read any disciplinary entries before you hire.

The Pennsylvania Bar Association is a voluntary organization, and membership is not a license. If a lawyer says they are admitted only in New Jersey, New York or another neighboring state, they generally cannot handle your Pennsylvania court case without special court permission.

How to choose a law firm

Match the firm to the case. Ask how often the lawyer appears in your county's court and how many matters like yours they have handled recently. Ask who will do the day-to-day work and whether you will have direct access to that person.

Get the fee terms in writing. Pennsylvania lawyers work on contingency for most injury cases, hourly for many family and business matters, and flat fees for defined tasks such as a will or a simple criminal charge. Ask what expenses are billed separately. A clear written agreement protects both sides.

Questions to ask at the first consultation

1. How many Pennsylvania cases like mine have you handled, and in which counties?
2. Who will work on my file, and how do I reach them?
3. How do you charge, and what costs are extra?
4. What deadlines apply to my situation right now?
5. What are the likely paths my case could take?
6. What is the biggest risk you see?
7. How and how often will you update me?
8. Do you have any public discipline on your record?

Free and low-cost legal help

PALawHelp.org, maintained by the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, explains common problems and connects you with the legal aid program for your county. These programs help lower-income residents with housing, family, consumer, benefits and domestic-violence matters.

The Pennsylvania Bar Association runs a statewide lawyer referral service, and larger county bar associations, including those in Philadelphia and Allegheny County, have their own referral programs that offer a short consultation with a private lawyer. Law schools in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and elsewhere in the state run clinics staffed by supervised students. The Unified Judicial System publishes forms and guidance for people representing themselves.

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