How VettedCounsel works

Start with official sources where they exist. In the U.S., the state bar or other body that licenses lawyers is usually where you can confirm that a lawyer is licensed and see whether public disciplinary information is available. What these sources show, and how, varies by state.

• Confirm the lawyer’s license status with the official licensing authority for your state.
• If the official source shows public discipline, read what the record says before drawing conclusions.
• Treat a certification or specialty as verified only if the official body that grants it lists it.

A consultation is where you learn what public records cannot show: how a lawyer would approach your matter, who would do the work, and how fees and communication would work.

• Ask every lawyer the same core questions, so the answers can be compared.
• Ask about fees, retainers, and billing in plain terms, and ask for important terms in writing.
• Write down what you are told, and what remains unclear.

Our worksheets let you record the same information for each lawyer side by side. They do not produce a score or a ranking. You decide which considerations matter most in your situation.

The decision is yours. VettedCounsel does not recommend, rank, or refer lawyers, and nothing in our materials is legal advice. If something in your matter is urgent, such as a deadline, speak with a qualified lawyer promptly.

Not all information carries the same weight. Our materials encourage you to keep track of where each piece of information comes from.

• Official and primary sources: licensing authorities, court records, and the documents you are asked to sign. The strongest starting point.
• What a lawyer or firm says about itself: websites, profiles, and consultation answers. Useful, but it is the lawyer’s own description.
• Third-party information: directories, awards, and media coverage. Check how it is compiled, and whether it is paid for, before relying on it.
• Opinions: online reviews and personal recommendations. Individual experiences can be informative, but each is one person’s view.

No checklist can guarantee how a lawyer will perform or how a matter will turn out. Our materials help you ask better questions and keep a clear record; they cannot evaluate a lawyer for you.

Each paid document shows a version and date in its footer. Rules, deadlines, and official resources vary by jurisdiction and change over time, so we update documents when something needs to change. If you spot an error or an outdated link, please tell us at support@vettedcounsel.org.