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Bar Association & Law Society Directory

In Canada lawyers are regulated provincially by law societies, not by the Canadian Bar Association (which is a voluntary professional association). In the US, regulation is by state, with the American Bar Association similarly being voluntary. If you want to verify a licence or complain about a lawyer, you need the regulator — not the association.

This distinction catches people out constantly. Bar associations advocate for the profession and provide member services; law societies and state bar regulators licence lawyers, set conduct rules, and handle complaints.

Use the regulator for your province or state below to verify that someone is licensed and in good standing, or to file a conduct complaint. Both are usually free.

How to use this

  1. 1Verify the lawyer is licensed

    Every regulator maintains a public directory of licensees. Search the lawyer's name and confirm their status, jurisdiction and any conditions on practice before engaging them.

  2. 2Use the regulator to complain about conduct

    Conduct complaints are free and go to the law society or state bar. They address professional conduct and competence — they do not award you compensation.

  3. 3Use a court or civil claim for compensation

    If you lost money, that is a fee assessment or a professional negligence claim, separate from the regulatory complaint. Both can run in parallel.

Directory

Canada — national

  • Federation of Law Societies of CanadaCoordinates Canada's 14 provincial and territorial law societies.
  • Canadian Bar Association (CBA)Voluntary professional association — not a regulator.

Canada — provinces & territories

  • Law Society of OntarioRegulates Ontario lawyers and licensed paralegals.
  • Barreau du QuébecRegulates Quebec lawyers.
  • Chambre des notaires du QuébecRegulates Quebec notaries — a separate profession.
  • Law Society of British Columbia
  • Law Society of Alberta
  • Law Society of Saskatchewan
  • Law Society of Manitoba
  • Nova Scotia Barristers' Society
  • Law Society of New Brunswick
  • Law Society of Prince Edward Island
  • Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Law Society of Yukon
  • Law Society of the Northwest Territories
  • Law Society of Nunavut

United States

  • American Bar Association (ABA)Voluntary association; maintains a directory of state and local bar associations.
  • State bar or state supreme court regulatorLawyer licensing and discipline is handled state by state — some by a state bar, some by the state's highest court. Search your state's name plus 'attorney licensing' or 'attorney discipline'.

Bodies are named rather than linked so nothing here can go stale — search the exact name to reach the current official site.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a bar association and a law society?
Law societies (Canada) and state regulators (US) licence lawyers and handle complaints. Bar associations like the CBA and ABA are voluntary professional bodies and do not regulate.
How do I check a lawyer is licensed?
Search the public directory of the law society or state regulator for their jurisdiction. It shows licence status and any conditions on practice.
Will a complaint get my money back?
No. Regulatory complaints address conduct and competence. Recovering money requires a fee assessment or a professional negligence claim.
Who regulates Quebec notaries?
The Chambre des notaires du Québec. Quebec notaries are a distinct profession from lawyers, who are regulated by the Barreau du Québec.

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