In most states you can contact the state bar, the state supreme court or a state commission to check on whether a particular attorney has been disciplined for professional conduct violations. To find who to contact in your state, go to the American Bar Association website at http://www.americanbar.org/groups/professioanl_rsponsibility/resaources/resourcees_for_the_publics.html, find the directory of State Disciplinary Agencies, and find the group for your state. Almost all states have a website. Check your state’s to learn how you would check out a local attorney. and check it out.