Keeping Track of American Law Societies and State Bars

American attorneys are regulated at the state level. State Bar membership is mandatory in some jurisdictions and voluntary in others. Regulation of the legal profession is carried out through a state regulatory agency, a discipline commission, or a discipline committee. In many states, lawyer discipline is the responsibility of the state’s court system rather than the bar association.

Upper gallery of the American Room of the Great Library

When thinking of American bar associations and disciplinary bodies, there’s a lot to keep track of. American attorneys are regulated at the state level. State Bar membership is mandatory in some jurisdictions and voluntary in others. Regulation of the legal profession is carried out through a state regulatory agency, a discipline commission, or a discipline committee. In many states, lawyer discipline is the responsibility of the state’s court system rather than the bar association.

Considering there are 50 States, this is a lot of information to keep sorted. To help keep track of the which-is-what of American bar associations and disciplinary bodies, we have curated a list of resources that do all the hard work for you:

  1. American Bar Association – ABA Directory of Disciplinary Agencies
  2. Lawyer Legion – State Bar Associations
  3. General Bar Legal Network – State Bar List
  4. Thomson Reuters – Regulation of the Legal Profession in the United States: Overview (April 2018)
  5. National Center for State Courts  – State Court Websites

Not the jurisdiction you’re after? Look to our Libguide “On The Web: Where to Find Law Societies Around The World” for information on where to find Law societies for international jurisdictions.