What if I am not too sure if a person claiming to be an attorney really is one?
Get the person’s name and check it out with the State Bar. In Texas it is easy. Simply go to https://www.texasbar.com/where you search a list of attorneys. Claiming to be a lawyer is CRIME unless you really are one. Many unscrupulous case runners will claim to be affiliated with a lawyer or say things to make you believe he is a lawyer when this is not true. As an example, in Texas it is a 3rd degree Felony if a person holds himself or herself out as a lawyer, unless he or she is currently licensed to practice law. See, §38.122 of the Texas Penal Code.Call the lawyer’s office and check on the identity of the person claiming to work for him or her. Ask how they got your information and why they came to see you. Reputable attorneys are happy to discuss these issues with you.Of course, just because a person is a licensed lawyer doesn’t mean he or she can illegally solicit your case. If this has happened to you, or you suspect that a person acting like a lawyer or claiming to be a lawyer really isn’t one, we urge you to gather as much information as you can about the situation and then give this information to your trusted attorney, the State Bar, and most importantly to the Society of Ethical Attorneys at Law.
