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How to choose a personal injury lawyer in Texas: what to check

How to check any Texas personal injury lawyer yourself with official sources: the State Bar license and discipline lookup, what Texas law says a contingent fee agreement must contain, questions to ask, barratry red flags and how to change lawyers.

13 min readPublished November 2, 2026Last updated November 2, 2026Edited by Joseph Budzinski, CTO, InjuryClaimGuide

The short answer

Two checks anyone can run before choosing a personal injury lawyer in Texas: the lawyer's license and any public disciplinary actions in the State Bar of Texas Find A Lawyer directory, and the written fee agreement. Texas law requires a contingent fee contract for legal services to be in writing and signed by the attorney and the client (Tex. Gov't Code §82.065(a)). InjuryClaimGuide does not rank or rate lawyers, and this guide does not name any.

This guide covers what to check and what to ask, anywhere in Texas. Where to look for names in Houston is in How to find a personal injury lawyer in Houston, and the situations in which people commonly talk with a lawyer are in When to hire a personal injury lawyer. This is general informational guidance, not legal advice, and it does not apply the law to your situation.

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Key facts (as of November 2, 2026)

  • Directory. The State Bar's Find A Lawyer directory has profiles for every licensed Texas attorney and lists public disciplinary actions, if any, taken against the attorney (State Bar, How to Select a Lawyer).
  • Ineligible list. The State Bar publishes a list of licensed Texas attorneys who are currently ineligible to practice law, updated daily (Ineligible Attorney List).
  • Fees in writing. A contingent fee contract for legal services must be in writing and signed by the attorney and client (Gov't Code §82.065(a)).
  • What the agreement states. Disciplinary Rule 1.04(d) says a contingent fee agreement must state the method by which the fee is determined, the expenses to be deducted from the recovery, and whether those expenses are deducted before or after the fee is calculated (Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct).
  • Solicitation. Soliciting employment in person, by telephone, through a social media direct message or by another electronic communication, with intent to obtain an economic benefit, is an offense unless the conduct is authorized by the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct or a rule of court (Penal Code §38.12(a)(2), (c)), and an offense under §38.12(a) or (b) is a third-degree felony (§38.12(f)).
  • The 31-day rule. Lawyers and certain other licensed professionals, with the intent to obtain professional employment, may not provide an unrequested written communication or solicitation about a personal injury or accident before the 31st day after it occurred (§38.12(d)(2)(A)).
  • Referral services. A person may not operate a lawyer referral service in Texas unless the person holds a certificate issued under Occupations Code chapter 952 (Occ. Code §952.101).

How do I check a Texas lawyer's license and record?

The State Bar of Texas pamphlet How to Select a Lawyer tells readers who have a list of lawyers to "do your research". It says the State Bar's Find-a-Lawyer directory has profiles for every licensed Texas attorney and lists public disciplinary actions, if any, taken against the attorney. The directory's search page lets you narrow results by location, practice area, education and certifications, board certification, languages spoken and accommodations, and fee options offered.

  • Look up the person. Search for the individual lawyer who would handle the matter, not only the firm's name. The State Bar's Grievance and Ethics Information page links to the directory to "Find a Lawyer and View His or Her Disciplinary History."
  • Check current eligibility. The Ineligible Attorney List names licensed Texas attorneys who are currently ineligible to practice law. The State Bar says an attorney may be ineligible for a variety of reasons, such as disciplinary or administrative suspensions, and that the list is updated daily because licensure status may change at any time.
  • Board certification. The pamphlet says some attorneys list themselves as "board certified" in one or more areas of law, and that a board-certified lawyer has met criteria established by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) in a particular practice area. The directory can be filtered by board certification area. Certification is one piece of information; how much weight to give it is up to you.
  • Someone you cannot find. If a person says they are a lawyer and does not appear in the directory, you can ask where they are licensed. Texas Penal Code §38.122 makes it a third-degree felony, with intent to obtain an economic benefit, to hold oneself out as a lawyer unless currently licensed to practice law in Texas, another state or a foreign country and in good standing with the State Bar of Texas and every licensing authority where licensed.

If something is listed in a profile, you can ask the lawyer about it directly and decide for yourself how much it matters to you.

What should a contingent fee agreement say in Texas?

A contingent fee depends on the outcome of the matter, and Rule 1.04(d) allows one except where a contingent fee is prohibited by the rule or other law. What is a contingency fee explains the idea in plain language; the rules for the written agreement are these:

  • In writing and signed. The contract must be in writing and signed by the attorney and client (Gov't Code §82.065(a)).
  • How the fee is determined. The agreement must state the method by which the fee is to be determined. If the lawyer's percentage differs depending on whether the matter is settled, tried or appealed, the percentage for each must be stated (Rule 1.04(d), Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct).
  • Expenses. The agreement must state the litigation and other expenses to be deducted from the recovery, and whether they are deducted before or after the contingent fee is calculated (Rule 1.04(d)).
  • Another firm. A fee may be divided between lawyers who are not in the same firm only if the division is in proportion to the professional services each performs or the lawyers assume joint responsibility for the representation; the client consents in writing, before the association or referral, to terms that identify every lawyer or firm taking part, say which basis the division uses, and state each one's share or the basis for dividing it; and the total fee does not violate Rule 1.04(a) (Rule 1.04(f)).
  • At the end. When a contingent fee matter concludes, the lawyer must give the client a written statement describing the outcome and, if there is a recovery, showing the remittance to the client and the method of its determination (Rule 1.04(d)).

The State Bar's pamphlet says: "Before you finally sign a contract with a lawyer, READ THE CONTRACT. Make sure you understand it. Make sure everything you and the lawyer agreed to is in writing." InjuryClaimGuide does not publish or compare what lawyers charge.

What questions can I ask before choosing a lawyer?

The State Bar's pamphlet suggests calling the offices of the lawyers on your list before making an appointment, and preparing questions for the first interview. It also says you do not have to hire the lawyer with whom you are interviewing. Questions drawn from the pamphlet, plus a few about fees and language:

  • Experience. Does the lawyer have experience with this kind of problem?
  • The first interview. Does the lawyer charge for an initial interview? If so, what is the charge? What would the lawyer like you to bring or have with you?
  • Who does the work. Will you or one of your associates be handling my case, and who do I contact with questions?
  • Updates. Will you regularly contact me about my case's status?
  • Documents. Will I be provided with copies of all important documents, and will there be a charge for those documents?
  • Decisions. Will I be able to make the final decision on my case?
  • Fees in writing. Do you provide a written agreement describing fees and the services provided for the fees? Does the percentage change if the matter goes to trial or appeal, and which expenses come out of any recovery?
  • Other firms. Will any other law firm work on my matter or share the fee? If so, who, and what share would each receive (Rule 1.04(f))?
  • Language. Do you or your staff speak Spanish? The directory can be filtered by languages spoken, and you can also ask directly.

There is no single right answer to any of these; the answers are yours to weigh.

What are the barratry red flags in Texas?

Barratry is the improper solicitation of legal clients, and Texas treats it as a crime and a disciplinary matter. The State Bar's disaster resources page says that in many cases it is a crime in Texas for a lawyer or someone representing a lawyer to contact a person for purposes of legal representation if the person has not first requested the call or personal visit. It adds that the contact is not illegal if the attorney is not seeking payment or has a preexisting professional-client or family relationship with the person being contacted.

Signs to watch for, with the rule behind each:

  • An approach you did not ask for. Someone you did not contact approaches you in person, by phone, through a social media direct message or by another electronic message to sign you up with a lawyer (Penal Code §38.12(a)(2); Disciplinary Rule 7.03(b), which has exceptions such as another lawyer or a person with a family, close personal, or prior business or professional relationship with the lawyer).
  • Money or a gift. Anyone pays or offers you money or another benefit to obtain employment as your lawyer (Penal Code §38.12(a)(3)). Rule 7.03(f) bars a lawyer from giving a prospective client money or another benefit to secure employment, other than actual litigation expenses and other financial assistance permitted by Rule 1.08(d), or ordinary social hospitality of a nominal amount.
  • Contact too soon. A lawyer, chiropractor, physician or other covered professional, seeking professional employment, provides an unrequested written communication or solicitation about the accident before the 31st day after it occurred (§38.12(d)(2)(A)).
  • Contact after you said no. A covered professional contacts you knowing, or when they reasonably should know, that you or a relative indicated a desire not to be contacted. That desire is presumed if an accident report reflects the indication (§38.12(d)(2)(D), (e)). Our guide to getting a Texas crash report explains where the report is kept.
  • No "ADVERTISEMENT" label. A solicitation communication a lawyer sends to a prospective client must be plainly marked or clearly designated "ADVERTISEMENT", unless it goes to another lawyer, someone with a family, close personal, or prior business or professional relationship with the lawyer, or an experienced business user of that type of legal service (Rule 7.03(d)(2)).
  • Pressure. Communications involving coercion, duress, overreaching, intimidation or undue influence are prohibited (Rule 7.03(c); Penal Code §38.12(d)(2)(E)).

Texas law also protects people who sign up because of barratry. A contract for legal services is voidable by the client if it is procured as a result of conduct violating Penal Code §38.12(a) or (b), or Disciplinary Rule 7.03 (Gov't Code §82.065(b)). Section 82.0651 lets the client bring an action to void such a contract, and gives a person who was solicited that way but did not enter into a contract an action against any person who committed barratry. Our Penal Code §38.12 reference entry has the statute text.

Reporting it. The State Bar asks anyone who witnesses what they believe is improper solicitation to get the name and phone number and report it to local law enforcement or to the State Bar Chief Disciplinary Counsel's Office, toll free at 866-224-5999.

Where can I find or ask about a lawyer in Texas?

  • Referral services the State Bar certifies. Texas law says a person may not operate a lawyer referral service in the state unless the person holds a certificate issued under Occupations Code chapter 952 (§952.101). The State Bar says it certifies referral services operated by local bar associations and other non-profit public service organizations, and publishes the list. The list includes a statewide service, the Texas Lawyer Referral Service, at (888) 635-6050, as well as services for areas such as Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. The list page links to a Spanish version.
  • The directory. The Find A Lawyer directory can be searched by location and practice area and filtered by languages spoken.
  • Advertising services. Some services, including InjuryClaimGuide, are paid by law firms to advertise. How lawyer matching services work explains the difference between a referral service the State Bar certifies and an advertising service.

If you are in Houston

The Houston guides apply the same checks to a particular kind of case and add the Houston and Harris County rules that can come up:

What if I want to change lawyers or have a problem with one?

  • Talk first, then CAAP. The State Bar's pamphlet suggests first discussing a problem with your lawyer. If that does not resolve it, the State Bar's Client-Attorney Assistance Program (CAAP) is a confidential statewide dispute resolution service, reachable at texasbar.com/caap or toll free at 800-932-1900.
  • Changing lawyers. The pamphlet says that if the problems cannot be worked out, it is your right to fire your lawyer and hire someone else to represent you. If the problem occurs before your legal matter is settled, you should expect to pay a portion of the fee to the lawyer for time already spent, and the lawyer has an obligation to return your file.
  • A grievance. The pamphlet says you may wish to file a grievance if you believe your lawyer neglected your matter, did not act in your interests, or did something illegal, unethical or improper. The State Bar's File a Grievance page says complainants must use the current grievance form, effective October 1, 2025, which can be submitted electronically, and that if you are not a client or former client of the attorney, the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure set limitations on who may file.

How does InjuryClaimGuide show participating firms?

InjuryClaimGuide is a legal advertising service, not a law firm and not a lawyer referral service. Law firms pay InjuryClaimGuide to receive leads. Being shown is paid advertising, not an endorsement or a quality rating. If you choose to start an intake:

  • The form names the firms before you send anything. Which participating firms you see depends on your location, case type, language and each firm's capacity. When more than one firm matches equally, they take turns. Before you submit, the form lists by name the firms that will receive your information and says those firms have paid InjuryClaimGuide to receive leads in your area and case type. No firm can pay to appear higher in that list.
  • You decide whether to send it. Your information goes to the named firms only if you agree to be contacted by them, submit, and confirm your email address with the link InjuryClaimGuide emails you.
  • The first written contact is labeled. InjuryClaimGuide's published terms for participating firms say a firm must label its first written contact with you "ADVERTISEMENT", in the subject line or the first sentence.

Whichever lawyer you consider, through InjuryClaimGuide or on your own, you can run the same checks and ask the same questions. How lawyer matching services work explains more.

Related guides

About InjuryClaimGuide

InjuryClaimGuide is a legal advertising service. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. We do not recommend or endorse any attorney, and we do not analyze the merits of any potential claim. Routing to participating firms is based on geography, practice area, language, and firm capacity.

Participating law firms pay InjuryClaimGuide to receive leads. InjuryClaimGuide is not a lawyer referral service and is not affiliated with any state bar.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check whether a personal injury lawyer is licensed in Texas?
Look the lawyer up in the State Bar of Texas Find A Lawyer directory at texasbar.com. The State Bar's pamphlet How to Select a Lawyer says the directory has profiles for every licensed Texas attorney and lists public disciplinary actions, if any, taken against the attorney. The State Bar also publishes a list, updated daily, of licensed Texas attorneys who are currently ineligible to practice law.
Does a contingent fee agreement in Texas have to be in writing?
Yes. Texas Government Code §82.065(a) says a contingent fee contract for legal services must be in writing and signed by the attorney and client. Texas Disciplinary Rule 1.04(d) says the agreement must state the method by which the fee is determined, the percentage for each if it differs depending on whether the matter is settled, tried or appealed, and the litigation and other expenses to be deducted from the recovery.
What does "board certified" mean for a Texas lawyer?
The State Bar's pamphlet says a board-certified lawyer has met criteria established by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) in a particular practice area. The Find A Lawyer directory can be filtered by board certification area. Certification is one piece of information; how much weight to give it is up to you.
Can a lawyer split the fee with another law firm in Texas?
Texas Disciplinary Rule 1.04(f) allows a division of a fee between lawyers who are not in the same firm only if the division is in proportion to the services each performs or the lawyers assume joint responsibility, the client consents in writing before the association or referral to terms that identify every lawyer or firm taking part and each one's share or the basis for dividing it, and the total fee does not violate Rule 1.04(a).
Is it legal for someone to contact me after an accident to sign me up with a lawyer?
Texas Penal Code §38.12(a) makes it an offense, with intent to obtain an economic benefit, to solicit employment in person, by telephone, through a direct message on a social media platform or by another electronic communication, or to pay or offer money or another benefit to a prospective client to obtain employment. Section 38.12(c) makes it an exception to prosecution if the conduct is authorized by the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct or a rule of court. Section 38.12(d) separately bars lawyers and certain other licensed professionals, with the intent to obtain professional employment, from providing an unrequested written communication or solicitation about a personal injury or accident before the 31st day after it occurred.
Can I change lawyers after I hire one in Texas?
The State Bar's pamphlet says it is your right to fire your lawyer and hire someone else, that if the problem occurs before your matter is settled you should expect to pay a portion of the fee for time already spent, and that the lawyer has an obligation to return your file.
Does InjuryClaimGuide choose or rate the lawyer for me?
No. InjuryClaimGuide is a legal advertising service, not a law firm and not a lawyer referral service. If you choose to start an intake, the form names the participating firms that would receive it before you submit. The choice of lawyer is yours, and you can use the checks in this guide for any lawyer you consider.

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