Find Your State Bar Association
State bar associations connect the public with qualified attorneys through referral services and often offer low‑cost or pro bono options for those who need help. They also support legal professionals by providing continuing education, public service projects, and networking opportunities.
Whether you’re seeking legal help or looking to grow within the profession, your state bar association is a reliable place to start. Bar associations exist at the national level, such as the American Bar Association (ABA), the state level, and the local level.
You don’t have to be an attorney to benefit from bar associations. While these organizations provide resources for legal professionals, like continuing education programs (CLE) and social events, they also offer services to those seeking legal assistance.
For example, state and local bar associations typically offer lawyer referral services to those searching for legal help. Some bar associations also have members who take on cases for people with low income at low cost or no cost (known as pro bono).
How To Leverage Your State Bar Association
If you need legal advice, your state bar association’s referral tool can help connect you with licensed attorneys who specialize in your specific legal issue. For example, these referral tools allow you to search by practice area (like family law, personal injury, criminal law, or workers’ compensation). These are called practice areas.
Most bar association websites also let you search for an attorney by name. Use this feature to check a prospective lawyer’s disciplinary history and license status.
If you’re a legal professional, a bar association will help you bond with other attorneys who can support your specialization. They can help further your legal education through CLEs and other programs.
Your State Bar Association Isn’t Your Only Legal Resource
FindLaw’s Attorney Directory is also a trustworthy resource to find legal help in your state. Start by entering your legal issue and location for a list of qualified legal professionals near you. Your search results also show contact and ratings information. If you use FindLaw’s directory, you can then utilize your state bar to confirm a specific attorney’s discipline record and license.
Table of State Bar Associations
Below are links to state and local bar associations by state. Many also have social media pages.
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Alabama |
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Alaska |
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Arizona |
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Arkansas |
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California |
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Colorado |
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Connecticut |
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Delaware |
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District of Columbia |
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Florida |
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Georgia |
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Hawaii |
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Idaho |
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Illinois |
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Indiana |
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Iowa |
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Kansas |
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Kentucky |
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Louisiana |
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Maine |
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Maryland |
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Massachusetts |
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Michigan |
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Minnesota |
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Mississippi |
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Missouri |
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Montana |
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Nebraska |
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Nevada |
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New Hampshire |
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New Jersey |
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New Mexico |
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New York |
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North Carolina |
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North Dakota |
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Ohio |
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Oklahoma |
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Oregon |
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Pennsylvania |
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Rhode Island |
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South Carolina |
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South Dakota |
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Tennessee |
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Texas |
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Utah |
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Vermont |
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Virginia |
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Voluntary State Bar: |
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Washington |
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West Virginia |
Voluntary State Bar: |
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Wisconsin |
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Wyoming |
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Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?
- Complex or high-stakes issues, like a criminal case or personal injury lawsuit, often require a lawyer
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-
Minor legal issues, like traffic tickets or name changes, can often be handled on your own
Most legal situations can benefit from an attorney’s guidance. A lawyer can offer tailored advice and help prevent common mistakes.
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