What Verdica's 796 score means for Rick Cofer
Rick Cofer's composite score of 796 out of 850 places him in the "strong" performance band (740–799), indicating a legal provider with solid regulatory standing and a clean recent disciplinary record. This score reflects data drawn from California state bar records and documented practice history, the primary sources regulators use to assess attorney fitness and compliance.
A score in this band suggests that Cofer meets or exceeds baseline compliance expectations and has not been flagged for serious recent violations. However, the score stops short of the "excellent" threshold (800–850), which means there are minor areas where his profile differs from the highest-performing cohort. For a business owner or individual considering legal services, a 796 score indicates a provider with meaningful regulatory credibility, though it's worth understanding what specific factors kept the score from reaching the top tier.
Readers should interpret this score as a green light for further due diligence—not a guarantee. Regulatory scores capture what bar associations formally track; they do not measure client satisfaction, case outcomes, or specialized expertise. The absence of independent customer reviews on Verdica's platform means you'll want to supplement this compliance snapshot with direct references, case histories, or consultations before engaging.
How the sub-scores break down
Bar Standing (790): This sub-score reflects Cofer's current licensure status and standing with the California State Bar. A score of 790 is solid and indicates active, good standing with no pending license suspensions, revocations, or conditions that would restrict practice. This is a baseline requirement; any attorney without current good standing would receive a much lower or zero rating in this dimension.
Disciplinary History (850): This perfect score means Cofer has no recorded disciplinary actions, complaints upheld, or sanctions documented in California state bar records. A score of 850 is the highest possible and indicates a clean formal disciplinary record. It does not mean Cofer has never faced complaints; rather, it means that complaints either were not filed, were dismissed, or did not result in formal discipline by the bar.
Practice Profile (700): This sub-score is the lowest of the three and suggests potential variation in how Cofer's practice aligns with documented or expected norms. A score of 700 is in the "acceptable" band and may reflect factors such as limited public practice history, recent changes in practice focus, or incomplete documentation of credentials or specialization. This dimension typically captures indicators like years in practice, areas of focus, and whether the attorney's profile matches public records.
What regulators in CA track for legal providers
California's State Bar maintains disciplinary records on all licensed attorneys and publishes data on formal sanctions, disbarments, suspensions, and conditions on practice. These records form the backbone of Verdica's Bar Standing and Disciplinary History sub-scores. Regulators track infractions ranging from minor (failure to communicate with clients, missed deadlines) to severe (theft of client funds, fraud, repeated ethical violations).
The State Bar also maintains practice history records—including attorney registration, areas of practice, and changes to licensure status—which feed into the Practice Profile score. While California does not mandate public posting of all client complaints, the bar does record and publish outcomes of formal disciplinary proceedings.
Scores move based on documented violations, the severity and recency of any infractions, and consistency between an attorney's claimed practice areas and their documented history. An attorney with clean records and stable practice history will see higher scores; those with recent violations, pending investigations, or gaps in documentation will score lower.
Bottom line
Rick Cofer's 796 score indicates a legal provider with strong regulatory compliance and a clean disciplinary record. Before engaging, verify his specific practice areas match your needs, request client references, and confirm he is actively licensed in your relevant jurisdiction—this score validates his regulatory standing but does not substitute for direct vetting of expertise and fit.