The information you need to find a lawyer who can help you is available on the Florida Bar Web site. Karen Kirksey, public information coordinator for the Florida Bar, provided tips on how to glean background information on attorneys in Florida from the Florida Bar Web site.

Checking Discipline Records

If an attorney has been disciplined by the Florida Bar for an ethics violation, that information can be found online by going to the Bar's home page and clicking on "find a lawyer" at the top of the page. A search page will come up. Type in the lawyer's last and first name, then click "search." A new page will open with the lawyer's name and address, with a box to the left of the name that reads "E" for eligible, "N" for not eligible or "J" for member of the judiciary. Click on the name and a new page will open showing information on the attorney. To get information about why an attorney is not eligible, click on the name, locate the sentence "10-year discipline history" lower on the page and click on "yes." A panel will appear showing any disciplinary actions taken, with a link to click to see the documents. "In 10 years it won't be there, so to get it you have to request it online," Kirksey said. If you run across a lawyer whose documents are not there, you get a page telling you you can send an email and request the documents, Kirksey said. "Normally they'll just e-mail you the document, but if it's a large file, you can be charged 15 cents a page." Kirksey added that sometimes a suspension is so recent, the documents might still be in the process of being posted online.

Checking Professional Expertise

There are also ways to learn if an attorney has particular expertise. On the Florida Bar home page, click on "Professional Practice" in the column on the left side. In the page that appears, click on "certification." Then click on "board certified lawyer directory." A list of different types of specialties will appear. Click on the area of your interest, then click on "certified attorneys" or "certified attorneys by city." Click on the name to get information about the lawyer's address, phone number, disciplinary history and the like. An alternative way to find an expert is to go to the home page and click on "media resources" and then click on "sources." Under "legal media sources," click on "board certified attorneys by certification area." Click on the area of your interest. You can contact one of the board certified attorneys to discuss your case or ask if there is someone they would refer you to. Another way is to go to the "media resources" page, then click on "sections." A list of sections and divisions will come up. Choose the section of your interest and click on it. A page will come up that shows a chair and chair-elect. Both are experts and may be able to take your case or refer you to an attorney who will take care of your needs.

Source:

Karen Kirksey, Florida Bar public information coordinator

Resource:

Florida Bar Web site