What Verdica's 796 score means for Marc L. Shapiro
Marc L. Shapiro's composite score of 796 out of 850 places him in the "strong" band (740–799), indicating reliable compliance standing and professional conduct based on available regulatory data. This score reflects a legal provider with solid credentials and minimal red flags in the dimensions Verdica monitors. Readers should interpret this as a provider who meets professional standards and maintains good standing with Colorado regulators, though not at the highest tier. The score is built on objective state bar records, not subjective opinion, so it offers a factual baseline for assessing regulatory risk. At 796, Shapiro presents an acceptable profile for most business relationships, though potential clients should still conduct their own diligence appropriate to the stakes of their matter.
How the sub-scores break down
Bar Standing: 790 This score reflects Shapiro's current licensing status and compliance with Colorado's bar admission requirements. A score of 790 in this dimension indicates active, valid licensure with no immediate compliance deficits. Bar standing is typically the most straightforward metric—a lawyer either holds a current license or does not—so this high score confirms Shapiro maintains his professional credential. Minor deductions in this band usually relate to administrative oversights, late renewal filings, or other non-disciplinary compliance gaps. The 790 reading suggests Shapiro is current on bar dues, continuing legal education, and other baseline regulatory obligations.
Disciplinary History: 850 A perfect score of 850 indicates no substantive disciplinary actions on record with the Colorado State Bar. This is the strongest possible reading and means Verdica's review of public disciplinary records found no complaints, suspensions, disbarments, or formal sanctions against Shapiro. A clean disciplinary history is a meaningful signal; it does not guarantee quality of work, but it does confirm the absence of state bar-level findings of misconduct. This sub-score can move downward when a provider has settled complaints, received letters of admonition, faced temporary suspensions, or incurred sanctions for ethical violations, fee disputes, or other breaches of professional conduct rules.
Practice Profile: 700 This score of 700 reflects Shapiro's professional footprint—areas of practice, case load, experience level, and public visibility based on state bar records. A 700 reading falls at the lower end of the "acceptable" band, suggesting either a narrower practice focus, less extensive public history, or a smaller volume of recorded activity compared to high-volume practitioners. Practice profile scores do not measure competence but rather the breadth and depth of verifiable professional activity. Lawyers with broader, more established public records or longer histories of documented practice typically score higher in this dimension. A 700 does not indicate a problem; it may simply reflect a more specialized or earlier-stage practice.
What regulators in CO track for legal providers
The Colorado Supreme Court's Office of Atty. Regulation Counsel maintains disciplinary records that form the backbone of Verdica's assessment. State bar regulators investigate complaints related to neglect, dishonesty, conflict of interest, unauthorized practice, fee disputes, and violations of professional conduct rules. They track licensing status, continuing legal education compliance, trust account audits (for providers handling client funds), and any sanctions or probationary terms. Practice history data—culled from bar directories, court filings, and registration records—shows areas of practice, firm affiliations, and longevity. These data sources reveal patterns of misconduct or recurring issues that might not appear as formal disciplinary findings. Verdica does not assess case outcomes, client satisfaction, or specialized credentials; it focuses narrowly on the regulatory and compliance record.
Bottom line
Shapiro's 796 score indicates a compliant, licensed attorney with no disciplinary record and solid bar standing. Before engaging his services, verify that his practice area and experience align with your specific legal needs, and consider seeking references or client reviews to supplement the regulatory baseline this score provides.