California State Bar Attorney Search

The California State Bar attorney search is the most reliable way to verify that a lawyer is licensed and in good standing before you hire them. The official California State Bar database — accessible at calbar.ca.gov — lets you search by attorney name, bar number, city, or practice area. Every licensed attorney in California is listed in this attorney search directory, along with their current status, contact information, and any public disciplinary actions on record.

When you use the California State Bar attorney search, you can confirm three critical facts: whether the attorney holds an active California license, whether they have any public discipline history such as suspensions or disbarments, and whether they are current on their bar dues. This attorney search step should be standard practice before signing any retainer agreement. Hiring an attorney without verifying their standing through the California State Bar is a preventable risk.

Beyond the California State Bar attorney search, you can also cross-reference an attorney's profile on Martindale-Hubbell for peer ratings, or use the ABA Lawyer Locator for attorneys who practice in multiple states. If you need help finding a licensed attorney in California for a specific practice area — family law, immigration, criminal defense, or estate planning — our attorney search tool above filters results by specialty and location to help you get started quickly.