The ABA's National Lawyer Regulatory Data Bank is the only national repository of information concerning public disciplinary sanctions imposed against lawyers throughout the United States. It was established in 1968 and is operated under the aegis of the ABA Standing Committee on Professional Discipline. Although information concerning sanctions that are matters of public record is available from each jurisdiction (http:/www.abanet.org/cpr/scpd/disciplinary.html), the difficulty involved in locating and examining individual court records is obvious. Through the voluntary cooperation of courts in forwarding to the Data Bank orders imposing public discipline, the ABA has been able to offer a valuable service to the profession and the public. The data Bank is particularly useful for disciplinary authorities and bar admissions agencies in providing a central repository of information to facilitate reciprocal discipline and to help prevent the admission of lawyers who have been disbarred or suspended elsewhere. All states and the District of Columbia, as well as many federal courts and some agencies, now provide disciplinary information to the Data Bank.

The Data Bank performs two services:

1. Name Search and Statistic Check

   Requests for searches in the Data Bank of individual lawyer names or regulatory actions (or lack thereof) as reported to the Data Bank regarding individual lawyers will be accepted provided that the inquirer confirms the request in writing. The cost is $10.00 for each name searched. Discounts are available for courts and admission agencies. For more information or to request a name search, write National Lawyer Regulatory Data Bank, Center for Professional Responsibility, American Bar Association, 321 North Clark St., Chicago, IL 60610, or call 312-988-5299.

2. Statistical Research Reports

   Specialized statistical information can be provided. Requests for research must be in writing and must state the purpose for which the information will be used. Available reports include alphabetical or cumulative lists of lawyer regulatory actions for one year in specific jurisdictions. The cost is $50.00 per report for non-ABA members, $35.00 per report for ABA members, and $25.00 per report for CPR members.

Because of the voluntary nature of this service, the Data Bank makes no claim that its records represent every public regulatory action taken and reinstatement/readmission issued. An inquirer should verify the current status of the lawyer with the originating jurisdiction before relying upon the information furnished. Agency contact information is available at: http://www.abanet.org/cpr/scpd/disciplinary.html. The ABA cannot ensure that matches between names requested by an inquirer and Data Bank records are indeed the same individuals; the inquirer must make that independent determination.