A disbarred lawyer is not a lawyer

How this scam typically works

A disbarred or indefinitely suspended attorney rebrands as a legal consultant, legal coach, document specialist, or case manager. The website looks polished. The office looks real. The prices look reasonable. Behind the scenes: no license, no malpractice insurance, no oversight, and no accountability when things go wrong.

How to check

Every state bar publishes a free license lookup. Search by name. You will see the person's admission date, license status, and — if they've been disciplined — the discipline history and effective dates. If the status is anything other than "active" and "in good standing," they cannot practice law.

Why it's dangerous

• No malpractice carrier — nothing to collect from if they mess up.
• No CLE requirements — the law changed and they didn't.
• No ethical oversight — no one to complain to that they'll listen to.
• Often the same behavior that got them disbarred in the first place.

What you can recover

• Full refund of fees paid after the disbarment or suspension.
• Damages for any additional harm caused by their conduct.
• Referral to law enforcement — practicing law after disbarment is a crime in most states.