Only active NC State Bar members and professional corporations and professional limited liability companies registered as law firms may practice law in NC. Am I a legal services attorney?Am I a government attorney? The website offers free assistance to those who cannot afford to hire a private attorney, including forms and instructions on how to fill them out. Please attach to the application, a check made payable to the NC Board of Law Examiners in this amount. In April 2021, the NC State Bar removed the requirement to register a law firm trade name for approval from the Rules of Professional Conduct. Each active member of the Virginia State Bar is required to certify annually whether he or she is engaged in the private practice of law and represents clients. In April 2021, the NC State Bar removed the requirement to register a law firm trade name for approval from the Rules of Professional Conduct. Grievances against lawyers who are licensed to practice law in North Carolina should be filed with the North Carolina State Bar. A referral assistant will match you with a participating lawyer referral attorney who will provide up to a 25-minute initial consultation free of charge.