What Verdica's 796 score means for Daniel Shawn Pickels
Daniel Shawn Pickens scores 796 out of 850 on Verdica's composite scale, placing him in the "excellent" band (800–850 range). While technically one point below the excellent threshold, a 796 sits in the upper tier of legal provider scores and signals strong compliance standing.
A score this high reflects a clean disciplinary record and solid licensing status according to Georgia state bar data. Readers should interpret this as: Pickens has maintained active bar standing without major red flags in the regulatory record. This doesn't mean perfection—Verdica's methodology accounts for the full spectrum of legal practice—but it does indicate low regulatory risk based on the available disciplinary and practice history data.
For someone considering hiring or contracting with a legal provider, a 796 suggests you're looking at someone who has passed baseline compliance checks. However, no single numerical score captures all dimensions of professional quality or fit. This score is one data point; prospective clients should still verify credentials, scope of practice, and fee structures independently.
How the sub-scores break down
Bar Standing (790/850): This sub-score reflects Pickens's current licensing status and history of maintaining good standing with the Georgia State Bar. A 790 indicates active, current licensure with no public suspensions or revocations on record. The modest gap from a perfect 850 may reflect administrative details or licensing history nuances that do not rise to disciplinary level but are tracked by regulators. In plain terms: Pickens is licensed to practice and has no major licensing strikes against him.
Disciplinary History (850/850): A perfect score in this dimension means no substantiated disciplinary complaints, ethical violations, or sanctions appear in Georgia Bar records. This is the cleanest possible record. Disciplinary scores decline when regulators document violations such as failure to serve clients diligently, mishandling of funds, dishonesty, or breach of confidentiality. A perfect 850 here indicates none of these formal findings exist in the public record.
Practice Profile (700/850): This sub-score evaluates the breadth, focus, and consistency of Pickens's practice as recorded in state bar data and licensing records. A 700 is in the "acceptable" range—neither a red flag nor a standout. Practice profile scores reflect factors like years in practice, reported practice areas, and consistency of licensure status. A score at this level suggests a straightforward, stable practice profile without unusual gaps or frequent jurisdictional changes, but without exceptional depth or specialization signaling in the data.
What regulators in GA track for legal providers
Georgia's State Bar maintains disciplinary records on all licensed attorneys, including Pickens. Regulators track ethical compliance through complaint investigations, which may result in findings of violations involving competence, communication, conflicts of interest, or trust account management. These formal disciplinary actions, if substantiated, create a public record that scores downward.
Bar regulators also monitor licensing status—active, inactive, suspended, or revoked—and any conditions attached to licensure. Practice history data includes reported practice areas, office locations, and disciplinary reinstatement requirements if applicable. Some violations carry sanctions from minor (private reprimand) to severe (suspension or disbarment).
Verdica's scoring methodology weights disciplinary findings heavily because they represent regulator judgment about attorney misconduct. A clean disciplinary record, like Pickens's, is the compliance baseline. Practice profile scores incorporate longer-term patterns: an attorney with consistent licensure, stable practice areas, and no complaints will score higher than someone with frequent jurisdictional moves or unexplained gaps.
Bottom line
A 796 score indicates Pickens is a low-risk choice from a regulatory compliance perspective, with an unblemished disciplinary record and current bar standing. If you're evaluating him for legal services, cross-check his specific practice areas and client references to ensure fit; regulatory compliance and professional capability are distinct measures.