Complaints and Claims

The mission of the Virginia State Bar includes protecting the public and regulating the legal profession of Virginia.

The Bar offers several programs designed to help resolve conflict through discipline, mediation, and reimbursement of clients who suffer a quantifiable financial loss due to the dishonest conduct of a Virginia lawyer or someone posing as one.

Misconduct Complaints

If you believe that a lawyer violated the Rules of Professional Conduct you may file a complaint with the Virginia State Bar (VSB).

Clients' Protection Fund

The Virginia State Bar established the Clients’ Protection Fund to reimburse clients who suffer a quantifiable financial loss due to the dishonest conduct of a Virginia lawyer.

Unauthorized Practice of Law

Ethics counsel screen incoming complaints and open files for investigation if there is probable cause to believe that a nonlawyer is engaging in UPL.

Fee Dispute Resolution Program

The Fee Dispute Resolution Program helps lawyers and clients successfully, cheaply, and expeditiously resolve hundreds of fee disputes, without resorting to litigation.

Immigration and "Notario" Fraud

“Notarios” are unauthorized legal consultants who typically charge exorbitant fees for immigration services they never provide.

Lawyer Discipline

The purpose of the VSB disciplinary system is to determine whether a lawyer has violated a legal ethics rule and if so, to impose appropriate discipline on the lawyer.