What Verdica's 807 score means for Small & Small, Attorneys PLLC
Small & Small, Attorneys PLLC scores 807 out of 850 on Verdica's composite index, placing it in the "excellent" band (800–850). This score reflects strong overall compliance posture based on state bar records and documented practice history in North Carolina.
A score in this range indicates a legal provider with minimal disciplinary friction and solid standing with regulators. For a business owner or consumer evaluating this firm, an 807 suggests low regulatory risk compared to the broader legal market. The score does not measure case outcomes, client satisfaction, or litigation success—it reflects institutional compliance, licensing status, and disciplinary record as tracked by the North Carolina State Bar.
Readers should interpret this score as a green light on the regulatory and licensing front. It does not replace due diligence around specific practice areas, fee structures, or fit for your particular legal needs. However, it does signal that the firm operates within accepted professional standards and has not accumulated the kinds of complaints or violations that would raise compliance red flags.
How the sub-scores break down
Bar Standing: 790
This sub-score reflects the firm's active licensure status and good standing with the North Carolina State Bar. A score of 790 (in the strong range) indicates the firm maintains valid licenses for its attorneys and meets baseline regulatory requirements. It does not suggest perfection, but rather that licensing status and credentials are in order and current.
Disciplinary History: 850
This is a perfect score, indicating no substantiated disciplinary actions, complaints upheld by the bar, or sanctions recorded against the firm or its named attorneys in available state bar records. A score of 850 is the highest possible and reflects a clean disciplinary record. In the legal industry, this matters significantly: disciplinary actions—ranging from minor ethics violations to suspension or disbarment—are public records and material to any assessment of professional conduct.
Practice Profile: 755
This sub-score reflects the firm's documented practice footprint: areas of practice, years in operation, attorney credentials, and any public or regulatory filings that define how the firm operates. A score of 755 falls in the "strong" range but is the lowest of the three sub-scores. This does not indicate misconduct; rather, it may reflect factors such as firm size, practice scope breadth, or the depth of publicly available practice history. Practice profile data is less dynamic than disciplinary records and often depends on what the firm has formally disclosed to regulators or the public.
What regulators in NC track for legal providers
North Carolina's State Bar maintains disciplinary records on all licensed attorneys and firms. These records document formal complaints, investigations, and outcomes—ranging from dismissals to sanctions. The bar tracks ethics violations (conflicts of interest, misrepresentation, fee disputes), competence issues, neglect of client matters, and conduct unbecoming a lawyer.
Practice history includes attorney biographical data, bar admission dates, specialization claims, and any public disciplinary or criminal history. The state bar publishes certain disciplinary outcomes as a matter of public accountability; these become part of Verdica's data foundation.
Scores move based on the presence or absence of substantiated infractions, active licenses, and clarity of practice profile. Infractions that reduce scores include disbarment, suspension, public reprimands, and upheld ethics complaints. High scores reflect clean records and active, compliant status.
Bottom line
Small & Small, Attorneys PLLC presents as a low-risk provider from a regulatory and compliance standpoint, with an excellent composite score and a perfect disciplinary record. Anyone considering engagement should verify that the firm's practice areas and experience align with your specific needs, and confirm fee arrangements in writing—compliance scores do not assess client service quality or value.