LawyerSearch FAQs
What is LawyerSearch?
LawyerSearch is a searchable list of lawyers who are accepting new clients. Missouri lawyers may choose to be included in this directory by logging in to the members-only site and selecting "Edit LawyerSearch Preferences."
LawyerSearch permits members of the public to search for Missouri lawyers based on name, city, county, zip code, and areas of law in which the lawyer will accept employment. Those who opt into LawyerSearch are able to select up to five areas of practice that may be searched by members of the public seeking a lawyer. A randomized list of lawyers who fit the search criteria is generated and displayed to members of the public utilizing this service.
Lawyers may choose to include as many means of contact as they feel comfortable providing, including (if they choose) complete address, telephone number and fax number. In addition, lawyers who have e-mail addresses or websites are able to include hotlinks directly from their LawyerSearch listing.
Although many lawyers pay monthly fees to have their names and practice areas listed on commercial “find-a-lawyer” sites, The Missouri Bar is offering lawyers a free listing in its LawyerSearch feature.
What is meant by a "full listing"?
The online Official Directory of Lawyers–which requires no action by members–includes minimum information about an attorney. Its function is simply to confirm whether a lawyer is in good standing. However, more information is included in the LawyerSearch directory to assist members of the public in locating lawyers in a specified part of Missouri who are currently accepting new clients in a designated area of the law.
For example, a member of the public who needs to find a Boone County lawyer who handles divorce cases will - upon entering the proper search criteria - be provided with a listing of Boone County lawyers who are accepting new clients in the area of divorce law. If there are more than 10 lawyers who meet the criteria, a randomly-generated selection of 10 lawyers is listed.
Information provided about these lawyers includes:
Name (including informal name, if desired);
Bar number;
Address;
Telephone number;
Website address;
E-mail address;
Area(s) of practice; and
County of practice.
Each lawyer choosing to participate in the LawyerSearch feature determines exactly how much of the above information is provided to the public by making the appropriate selections on the "members" portion of the website.
This listing does not replace one´s "official address," although it can be the same if desired. Note: When a member has a change of address, it needs to be changed under "Edit Profile" and "Edit LawyerSearch Preferences."
What information can I include on my website link?
The information on your website is bound by the advertising rules found with the Rules of Professional Conduct, regardless of whether the public is led to your site by a link from The Missouri Bar or they find it on their own.
At a minimum, your site should include your firm name and information listing your education and experience.
Why am I limited to being listed in one county?
Although you may choose to be listed in any county for purposes of a public search, the assumption is that the county you list is the one where you are most likely to be found (and the one in which you are most likely to practice).
Restricting a lawyer´s listing to just one county adds to the credibility of the search engine, and adds an element of fairness to the list.
Why am I limited to five areas of practice?
Primarily to provide a fair distribution of hits for those lawyers who are accepting new clients. The service is designed to benefit all members of the bar, and limiting the areas of practice listed per lawyer is a major component of providing equitable access to members of the public who come to the Bar´s website to search for lawyers.
Again, maintaining the credibility of the search engine played a part in establishing this limit. All lawyers do not practice in all areas of the law. In fact, data from past surveys of lawyers indicated that five areas of practice was the optimum number for a fair listing of the areas of practice per lawyer. Remember that this is a search for lawyers, not for firms.
The areas of practice from which you may choose are:
| Administrative and Regulatory Law |
| Admiralty Law |
| Alternative Dispute Resolution |
| Antitrust Law |
| Appellate Practice |
| Banking and Finance Law |
| Business Law |
| Civil Trial Practice |
| Commercial Law & Bankruptcy |
| Computer and Technology Law |
| Condemnation/Eminent Domain |
| Construction Law |
| Criminal Practice |
| Elder Law/Social Security |
| ERISA/Employee Benefits Law |
| Environmental and Energy Law |
| Estate Planning |
| Family Law |
| Franchise Law |
| General Practice |
| Government Law and Public Contracts |
| Health Law |
| Immigration Law |
| Insurance Practice |
| Intellectual Property Law |
| International Law |
| Judicial Administration |
| Juvenile Law |
| Labor and Employment Law |
| Legal Education |
| Personal Injury |
| Probate and Trust Law |
| Products Liability |
| Real Property Law |
| School Law |
| Securities Law |
| Sports and Entertainment Law |
| Taxation Law |
| Torts and Civil Actions |
| Transportation Law |
| Workers' Compensation |