How We Vet
We check what most people don't know to check.
Before any attorney joins our network, they pass a five-part review. Not every firm makes it. That's the point.
Not every attorney makes the cut.
Most referral services pass along whoever pays to be listed. We don't. Every firm in the Legal Integrity network has been reviewed against five independent criteria — and must maintain that standing to stay listed.
Case Outcomes via PACER
We research actual case outcomes through PACER — the federal court records system — to evaluate how attorneys have performed in real litigation, not just how they market themselves.
PACER gives us access to federal court filings, dockets, and outcomes. We look at case history, motion practice, and results to assess whether an attorney's track record matches their claims.
Bar Standing & Disciplinary History
We verify active licensure with the state bar and review the full disciplinary record. A lapsed license, formal sanction, suspension, or reprimand is disqualifying.
We check directly with the relevant state bar authority — not self-reported credentials. Any finding of dishonesty, client harm, or misappropriation of funds results in permanent exclusion. Minor administrative matters are evaluated in context.
Malpractice Record
We examine malpractice claim history. A pattern of claims — even settled ones — signals a problem that online reviews rarely surface.
We look at frequency, nature, and resolution of claims. A single claim in a long career is treated differently than repeated claims for the same type of conduct.
Secret Shopper Integrity Checks
We use secret shoppers to test whether firms are selectively taking cases — or simply billing clients on matters they know are unwinnable.
Firms that accept every case presented, regardless of merit, are a red flag. Our secret shoppers present a range of scenarios, including weak or unwinnable cases, to see whether a firm will honestly decline or push forward to generate fees. Firms that fail this check are removed from the network.
Client Feedback
We evaluate verified client reviews across multiple platforms, looking for consistent patterns in communication, follow-through, and outcomes.
We don't rely on a single review site. We look for consistency across sources and flag attorneys whose reviews show a pattern of poor communication or unmet expectations.
The Firms We Won't Refer
Vetting isn't only about who gets in — it's about keeping track of who doesn't. Legal Integrity maintains an internal list of firms that have failed our criteria or been flagged through our ongoing monitoring.
Failed vetting
Firms that did not pass one or more of our five criteria are recorded and excluded from the network permanently unless the underlying issue is resolved and re-reviewed.
Case farming
Firms identified — through secret shoppers or client reports — as accepting unwinnable cases to generate billing are added to the list and never referred.
Post-listing conduct
Network membership is not permanent. Firms that develop problems after joining — disciplinary actions, new malpractice patterns, or failed re-checks — are removed and added to the list.
This list is internal and not published. Its purpose is to ensure that a firm removed for cause cannot re-enter the network under a different name or through a different contact.
What this means for you
When Legal Integrity refers you to a firm, it means that firm has passed all five checks. You're not starting from zero — you're starting from vetted.
Ready to find a firm you can trust?
Submit your case and we'll match you with a vetted attorney who handles your type of matter.
Submit Your CaseLegal Integrity is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Vetting is based on publicly available information including state bar records and federal court filings accessed through PACER. It does not constitute a guarantee of attorney performance or case outcome.