Via LLRX – A Compilation of State Licensed Lawyer Databases – Every lawyer in the United States is licensed to practice in some state, but very few lawyers are licensed to practice in every state. As a result, the question often arises — is attorney X licensed to practice in state Y? This guide by expert librarian and researcher Toby Lyles identifies the licensing authority, usually the bar association for each state, to ascertain whether an attorney has a valid bar license to practice law in a specific state (or the District of Columbia).