How do you check if a lawyer is registered in South Africa?

Who is more powerful, an attorney or a lawyer?

An attorney has more specific authority than a general lawyer because an attorney is licensed to practice law and represent clients in court, while a lawyer, though educated in law, might not have passed the bar exam to gain that courtroom authority. It's not about "power" but legal authorization; all attorneys are lawyers (having law degrees), but not all lawyers are attorneys. For court appearances, you need an attorney; for legal advice or document prep, a lawyer might suffice. 

Can you call yourself a lawyer before passing the bar?

Holding yourself out as an attorney before you are licensed falls under the category of “unauthorized practice of law”1 and is typically considered grounds for a character and fitness inquiry.

Is there a national database for lawyers?

The ABA National Lawyer Regulatory Data Bank is the only national repository of information concerning public regulatory actions relating to lawyers throughout the United States. It was established in 1968 and is operated under the aegis of the ABA Standing Committee on Professional Discipline.

Is $400 an hour a lot for a lawyer?

Yes, $400 an hour is a significant rate for a lawyer, often reflecting experience, specialization, and location, falling at the higher end of average rates ($100-$400+) but can be standard or even considered a "deal" for highly specialized work in major cities, while being quite expensive in other areas or for less complex cases. Factors like the firm's size, location (big city vs. rural), the lawyer's expertise (e.g., corporate, IP vs. family law), and case complexity greatly influence this rate. 

How to spot a fake legal notice?

Identifying a Fake Summons

Lack of official court information: A legitimate summons will contain the name and address of the court, a case number, and the names of the parties involved. If this information is missing or appears to be falsified, it's a sign that the summons may be fake.

Can you search a case number online in South Africa?

For matters prior to COurt Online, you can access the matter by clicking on VIEW CASE BUNDLES, then search with the case number. To access the file, click review and then scroll down to the COURT/DRAFT ORDER section.

How to tell if an attorney is legit?

To check if a lawyer is legitimate, verify their license on your State Bar Association's website, confirm their contact info matches, and check for any disciplinary actions or suspensions on their profile. Ask for their full name and bar number, and be wary of overly aggressive tactics, cash payments, or promises that sound too good to be true, as these can signal fraud. 

How do you know if you can trust a lawyer?

How to Know if Your Lawyer is Trustworthy

• You Can Verify Their Credentials. Any reputable attorney will be easy to verify. ...
• There Are Positive Reviews Online. When people are satisfied with a law firm's service, they often want to tell others. ...
• They Have Clear Practice Areas. ...
• Discuss Your Case With an Attorney in St.

How do I find out if someone is really a lawyer?

To check if a lawyer is legitimate, verify their license on your State Bar Association's website, confirm their contact info matches, and check for any disciplinary actions or suspensions on their profile. Ask for their full name and bar number, and be wary of overly aggressive tactics, cash payments, or promises that sound too good to be true, as these can signal fraud. 

What percentage of lawyers make $500,000?

A small percentage of lawyers earn over $500k; while the median salary for lawyers is around $150k-$170k, the top 10% earn over $239k, but reaching $500k+ usually requires being a top partner in a "Big Law" firm, specializing in high-value areas like corporate or IP law, or having a very successful practice, notes the BLS and Legal Brand Marketing.
 

What is the difference between a lawyer & attorney?

A lawyer is someone with a law degree, while an attorney is a lawyer who has passed the bar exam and is licensed to practice law and represent clients in court; therefore, all attorneys are lawyers, but not all lawyers are attorneys, a distinction that matters for courtroom advocacy. While "lawyer" refers to legal education, "attorney" signifies the official authorization (the license) to act as a legal representative in court, handle specific legal matters, and provide court-related services.
 

Is it better to have an attorney or a lawyer?

Neither is inherently "better"; they describe different qualifications, with an attorney being a specific type of lawyer who is licensed to represent clients in court, while a lawyer is a broader term for someone with a law degree who can offer general advice but not necessarily practice in court. For courtroom representation, you need an attorney; for basic legal guidance or document prep, a lawyer suffices. 

Is $10,000 a lot for a lawyer?

Lawyers typically charge retainer fees ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on their experience, location, and case complexity. For more complex cases, retainers can exceed $10,000. The specifics are outlined in a retainer agreement, which may be refundable or non-refundable.

How old is the youngest lawyer?

The youngest lawyer is generally considered to be Sophia Park, who passed the California bar exam at 17 years and 8 months old in late 2024, breaking her brother Peter's previous record, though she'll be sworn in and licensed in March 2025 after turning 18, as most jurisdictions require lawyers to be 18. She accelerated her education, starting law school at 13 while in junior high and graduating early.
 

What do the top 1% of lawyers make?

The top 1% of lawyers earn well into the high six figures to millions annually, with top "Big Law" associates hitting $400k+ quickly, and partners/specialists (like patent attorneys) exceeding $500k-$1M+, depending heavily on location, firm size (Big Law pays most), and specialization (corporate, IP, tax). Entry-level salaries at top firms can start around $215k+, while partners in successful firms can earn $500k to over $1M. 

Who are the big 5 lawyers?

"Big 5" law firms usually refers to the top firms by revenue/size, often led by Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkins, with others like DLA Piper, Baker McKenzie, and A&O Shearman frequently in the top ranks globally, though specific lists vary, sometimes including firms like Skadden, Sidley Austin, or the UK's "Magic Circle" (A&O Shearman, Clifford Chance, etc.). The exact "Big 5" changes depending on whether you're looking at US-specific, global, headcount, or revenue metrics, but the consistent leaders are Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkins.
 

What's the best free online legal database?

There isn't one single "best" free legal database, but top contenders for comprehensive access to primary law are Google Scholar (for cases), Cornell Law's Legal Information Institute (LII) (U.S. Code, Constitution, Supreme Court), and Justia (cases, statutes, regulations). For specialized needs, CourtListener offers oral arguments and dockets, while government sites like GovInfo.gov provide official federal documents, making them excellent for different research aspects. 

Did Michelle Obama pass the bar?

Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
 

What does Esq mean after a name?

"Esquire" (or "Esq.") after a name in the U.S. signifies a licensed lawyer, indicating they've passed the bar exam and are authorized to practice law, serving as a professional courtesy title in legal and formal contexts, though historically it was a status for the gentry. In the U.S., it's used almost exclusively for attorneys, while in the U.K., it's a largely obsolete courtesy for gentlemen with no other title.
 

Are you allowed to tell your lawyer anything?

Attorney-client privilege is a legal concept that protects communications between an attorney and their client from being disclosed to anyone else. This means that anything you tell your attorney is strictly confidential and cannot be shared with anyone else without your consent.