subject: How To Research A Staten Island Attorney Through The New York State Bar Association [print this page] Finding a lawyer can often times become a very overwhelming experience. The sheer number of lawyers is enough to stir clients into a frenzy since upon an initial online search of potential lawyers, most look qualified to take the clients case. Unfortunately, this is sometimes not the case, and it takes a committed client to research a Staten Island attorneyto learn if the attorney will satisfy all of his or her needs. A good place to start when discerning the most experienced attorney from the lesser-experienced attorney is the New York State Bar Association.
The New York State Bar Association will offer insight into whether or not the attorney has ever been disciplined. Attorneys can be disciplined for a number of reasons including ethical violations. If a complaint is made against a Staten Island attorney, the Bar Associations Grievance Committee will investigate any claims and determine if the Staten Island attorney is indeed guilty of violating New York States rules of professional conduct. Depending on the degree of severity of the violation, some attorneys who have been disciplined are no longer able to practice law.
If an attorney has been disciplined, but is still practicing law, it is advisable to consult the full text of the disciplinary decision. This will give you a better idea about the Staten Island attorneys violation of the rules of conduct and the severity of that violation. The New York State Bar Association will also inform you if a lawyer has been placed on probation, and if the Staten Island lawyer has been suspended, reprimanded, or disbarred. Once you have learned this information, continue researching the Staten Island attorney by conducting an online search using the attorneys name.
The results of the search will most likely include testimonials written by former clients, newspaper articles, and the lawyers personal website or that that of his or her firm. Clients testimonials will inform you about their experience with the Staten Island attorney, including such information as the client-attorney communication, the attorney fees, and the level of helpfulness of the attorneys office staff. Be sure to read the newspaper articles written about the attorney, as they might offer insight into the attorneys level of experience and his or her ability to handle cases similar to your own. Finally, the attorneys website may offer information about how long the attorney has been practicing law as well as provide the Staten Island attorneys contact information.
