lawyers limited by state or counties, etc?

[deeptrouble]

if i live in richmond, can i get a lawyer in another state that also has a license to practice in virginia?

or do i need a lawyer that practices within a more limited geographical district?

hope this question makes sense...

[lrprn]

if i live in richmond, can i get a lawyer in another state that also has a license to practice in virginia? or do i need a lawyer that practices within a more limited geographical district? hope this question makes sense...

DT, why are you asking about a lawyer that can practice in different states outside Virginia? Did you move recently?

[deeptrouble]

DT, why are you asking about a lawyer that can practice in different states outside Virginia? Did you move recently?

no i didn't move recently, but my family that may or may not be helping me out with my troubles wants to attend a consultation with 1 lawyer of their choosing, and the lawyer is in MD but is also licensed to practice in VA.

[HHM]

So long as the lawyer is licensed to practice in your state (and the license is active), you can use that lawyer. Note, the next question is whether the lawyer has been admitted to practice before the "Court" in which you intend to have your case heard. Being admitted before a court is not that big a deal, it is usually a simple matter of filing out a form, but some courts require that an attorney be sponsored by a local attorney who is admitted to practice in that court (which can sometimes be a PIA).

Keep in mind that Bankruptcy is "Federal Court". Strictly speaking, any licensed attorney from any state can appear in Federal Court (once they are admitted to that particular court). The sticky thing about BK is state exemption law. Thus, you generally should hire an attorney that is licensed to practice in that state for which you will be using that state's exemptions.

Let me provide a quick example to clarify.

Let's say that attorney Joe is licensed to practice law in CA, and resides in San Diego. Thus, odds are, he will be admitted to practice before the Federal District Court for the "Southern" District of CA. If Joe had a federal case that took him to San Francisco for a few days and he needed to appear in Federal Court. He would first have to get admitted to practice before the Federal District Court for the "Northern" District of CA. Same goes if he had a case in Las Vegas...before he could appear in court, he would have to be admitted to practice before the Federal District Court of Nevada.

[HHM]

For the area you in, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., it is quite common for attorney's in that area to be licensed in all three states.

[spell]

Think of it this way. All MDs can deliver babies. They teach them in med school.
But if you had your choice, would you pick one who does it routinely (ob-gyn) or a psychiatrist?

If it's just to understand BK, meet with whoever is near your parents and has a good idea of your state's exemptions.
But file with an attorney who knows the ins and outs of your particular court.