How Do You Know if You’re Dealing with a Real Lawyer?
Unfortunately, one of the common problems people have when looking for a lawyer in the Philippines is that they might not know if the person they are talking to is a lawyer in the first place. This is particularly true if you engaged the lawyer remotely or online.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve received a client whose troubles had been made worse because she hired a lawyer referred to her by somebody, then this supposed lawyer was engaged for the legal services, then nothing ever happened
The poor soul thought she had a lawyer, trusted that the case was being tried in court, waited for months and years, only to find out that the whole engagement was a fraud.
It is worse when outright falsification is involved. I’ve seen it happen that the supposed lawyer even claims to have gotten a court judgment in the client’s favor
If it is, say, a case for annulment or for recognition of foreign divorce, the client may even be given a document, supposedly from the Philippine Statistics Authority, claiming to have registered the client’s new civil status as an ex-spouse.
She may actually think this is a real document, rely on it, only to find out later that the court case she engaged the supposed lawyer for never happened.
This can be tragic not only when she paid her hard-earned money, but even more so when she has made plans — to remarry or for a new life — based on her faith in the documents she received.
Check the Roll of Attorneys
So how do you know if someone is a real lawyer?
The simple answer is that a real lawyer is someone licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of the Philippines. A real lawyer is a Member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
You can check the Roll of Attorneys at the Supreme Court, or you can check the IBP to confirm whether the person you are talking to is licensed to practice law.
It used to be that the Supreme Court and the IBP each posted an online list of all persons who have ever been licensed to practice law in the Philippines. Unfortunately, these law lists have been taken down for some reason.
If you’d like, you could call or email these institutions, or look for an older version of the law list that may still be circulating online.
Or look up the Supreme Court’s taken down page on the WayBack Machine.
UPDATE: The Supreme Court of the Philippines has again put up an online Law List where you can enter a lawyer’s name to check whether he or she is a real lawyer, but note that it does not appear to be a complete database.
Check the lawyer’s physical office
Another way is to check the lawyer’s physical office.
I don’t take offense when prospective clients, particularly those who engaged me from abroad through the Internet, ask if they can send someone here to visit the law office just to confirm that it actually exists.
A legal problem is very personal and immediate to a client, and so it is understandable if they want to check someone out before they put themselves in their hands.
If neither is possible, at least check out the law office’s website, the lawyer’s LinkedIn page, or perhaps Facebook, or some other social media.
Once you’ve at least confirmed that the lawyer really is a lawyer, you may also ask him about his experience with the sort of case or legal issue that you brought to him.
Previous clients
Some people want to ask if they may speak with the lawyer’s other previous clients, particularly those who have had similar cases.
This may not be possible because a proper lawyer is committed to confidentiality on past and present clients’ behalf.
On the plus side, you will enjoy the same strict confidentiality from a proper lawyer whom you engage.
The corollary is that you need to be honest with the lawyer. There is simply no way he can advise you if you don’t give him the facts.
When you talk to a lawyer, you should disclose the whole picture to him, providing honest and complete details about yourself, the events, the issue, and the people it may affect.
Be honest when you talk to him. He will need to know the specific places and dates of events. He will also need clear, accurate copies of documents so that he can assess them himself.
(Do not edit the facts or be afraid to disclose everything to the lawyer you consult. He needs to know these facts to actually do his job. And a real lawyer is anyway bound to confidentiality by his Code of Ethics.)
Don’t be embarrassed by whatever you need to tell your lawyer. And don’t hesitate to ask him any questions you may have.
In the meantime, you can begin to put together some of the documents your lawyer will need to review and which you’ll eventually have to submit to the Court.
There are other questions you can ask your lawyer about your case.
Like – what should you expect it to need in terms of time, resources, and commitment?
Don’t hesitate to ask something as basic as what the expected outcome will be. This allows you to gain realistic expectations about what a case or legal resolution entails so that you understand the aim from when you first set out on a case.
Good day, Kindly verify if Amadeo Balon jr. is a legitimate lawyer. Thank you
To verify someone is a real lawyer, you can check their name in the Supreme Court Roll of Attorneys or confirm their license status through the Integrated BAr of the Philippines (IBP).
There is an existing lawyer’s list in the new Supreme Court Website. The search and filter system is very good. You just have to type the name of the lawyer and it will give you a list of all lawyers with that name. It also gives you the roll signing date, their roll number and their location.
Go to:
https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/lawyers-list-2/
Thank you for providing link. this help easily for everyone wanted s=to search legit lawyers in the Philippines.
Is Junel A. Batiller of general santos city a real lawyer
You may confirm this lawyer by searching their name online on the IBP website or the Supreme Court’s roll of attorney. These are the official sources recognized in the Philippines.
Hello! Our former lawyer,Atty. Esperanza Doroja moved her office somewhere we didn’t know. We tried to email her but her address is already inactive. I’ve tried to email IBP but no reply. Is there anyway that we can learn her new office or contact her?
You may reach them through other means like linkedin or facebook.
i just now try to search the lawyer name and i found it naman,still not convince parin either its legal what she doing.. when searching the lawyer at IBP its always start with their middle name,givine name and last name then u will see their details including the roll no,
Finding her name in the IBP directory confirms she is a licensed lawyer. But if her actions are abusive, you can still challenge them legally and ethically.
Hi could you please check for me Atty Sheron C Biase if hes a member of IBP? and could you please give a link for his name, i tried to check in Roll of attorneys link but seems not working. thank you
You may confirm this lawyer by searching their name online on the IBP website or the Supreme Court’s roll of attorney. These are the official sources recognized in the Philippines.
I want to check is Ivy Edodollon is certified lawyer?
You may confirm this lawyer by searching their name online on the IBP website or the Supreme Court’s roll of attorney. These are the official sources recognized in the Philippines.
Hi, is it possible to ask for a certification that a certain person is not a lawyer or has never been a lawyer in the Philippines? If Yes, where can we get the certification? Thanks.
Yes, you can formally request a certification from the Supreme Court that a person’s name does not appear in the Roll of Attorney. Or request a certification as well from the IBP to confirm that the person is not a member of the Bar.
Hi,
I used the link, https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/lawlist/ to check the name of the lawyer that we are working with. Unfortunately, the link does not work. Can you check if Renato (Jun) Bautista, Jr. is a Licensed Philippine attorney, specializing in Philippine property issues, estate settlements, and business registration?
His linkedin profile is https://www.linkedin.com/in/renato-bautista-jr-36627113
Thank you.
Try using another browser because it does work.
i wonder if a can have a pro bono lawyer specializing in real properties…judicial partition and titling of land. Thank you!
The IBP runs a Legal Aid Program that provides free legal services. The PAO lawyers also provide free legal representation for qualified individuals.
Kindly verify if Lscoll law firm is legitimate lawyer of security bank
Hello. You can verify and confirm the names of the lawyer through Supreme Court website Roll or Attorneys or by contacting the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
This is the lawyers’ list of the new Supreme Court Website.
https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/lawyers-list-2/
Use it to check if your lawyer is legit. The interface is very good. Type the name and it will give you the roll number, the roll signing date, and even their address.
According to the Supreme Court Website, there is a lawyer named Renato Bautista Jr. He resides in Concepcion Tarlac, and his roll number is 43195. he became a lawyer upon signing the roll on May 7, 1998
Thank you for sharing the link that others can use to check and verify lawyers in the Philippines.
Hi gud pm may i ask if Leonardo Bautista is a Lawyer of the Philippines?
Hello, we are not familiar with the name. You may refer to the official website of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to find a list of licensed lawyers.
May I know if Leo Balthazar is a legit lawyer…
Hello. You may visit the official Supreme Court of the Philippines website. Look for the List of Lawyer’s section and search the name you are looking for. Alternatively visit IBP or Integrated Bar of the Philippines and check for the names.
Atty.edgar lastimoso luis pls
Hello. You can verify this lawyer if it truly licenses by checking with the Supreme Court Roll of Attorneys. Integrated Bar of the Philippines official page is another reliable place to search for legitimate lawyer.
we entrusted someone to look for a lawyer and paid PHP100,000.00 to accept the case. We’ve check the name of the lawyer and was indeed a real one but my question is , how come this lawyer never contact us nor provide a proper official receipt that she received such amount . we haven’t heard from that lawyer since we paid her . Its been 9 month already
You should contact her law office and clarify the engagement.
Hi i would like to ask if the letter that we received is from the real attorney? Does it have to be notarized?
Not necessarily, notarized letter from a lawyer does not automatically says heshe is a legit lawyer. To confirm, you can check their name in the Supreme Court Rill of Attorneys or the IBP directory.
is jovito bron condires is a real lawyer?
Can you please check if Atty.Gale L. Romas is a member of Legal Officer of Echavez Law office. Thank you
You may confirm this lawyer by searching their name online on the IBP website or the Supreme Court’s roll of attorney. These are the official sources recognized in the Philippines.
What can I charge a person who pretends to be a lawyer? And his right hand man is using that to harass all of us neighbors in our subdivision?
You may charge him with Usurpation of Authority under the Revised Penal Code (RPC). As for his right?hand man, you may charge him with Grave Threats or Grave Coercion under the RPC. If you wish to pursue the case, it is wise to seek the assistance of a lawyer to guide you through the process.
I’m looking for a long time friend ,atty Isagani A. Mendoza whom I haven’t seen since 1980.i just want to know if he’s still alive.do you have ways of knowing where or how to contact him?I’m cecilia Sainz and I’ll be happy if you or anyone out there can help me,thank you.i have Facebook account
To confirm this lawyer/friend still practice hhis profession you may search their name online on the IBP website or the Supreme Court’s roll of attorney. These are the official sources recognized in the Philippines.
How can I know if the lawyer who harassed us is a member of the IBP.
You can contact the IBP itself directly and check if he is a member in good standing.
is manuel calimbas real attorney? and is there a calimbas law firm? and where it is located?
You may try the different ways of checking that we list on this article.
Can you please check if Atty. Emanuel Ortega is a member of IBP. Thank you
You may try the different ways listed in the article.
I would like to know if Attorney Lawrence Tesoro is a bonafide member of IBP and practising under Avathars Law Firm. Thank
you,
You may confirm this lawyer by searching their name online on the IBP website or the Supreme Court’s roll of attorney. These are the official sources recognized in the Philippines. Alternatively, you may search the name of the law office and search their name.
Is Behr Detlef a legit lawyer in the phillipines ?
You may confirm this lawyer by searching their name online on the IBP website or the Supreme Court’s roll of attorney. These are the official sources recognized in the Philippines.
Marionetteperez9@gmail.com