How do I find out about lawyers?

[united]

I believe one of my ancestors was a lawyer - in Jersey at the time he gave his occupation on his son's marriage certificate, but possibly in London previously. 
I believe that the annual Law List of practitioners from 1775 onwards are published and available at national archives.  Are they easy to use - with scant information 
Has anyone searched these records and could offer any advice?

[Jane Eden]

The Law Society history page is at

http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/aboutlawsociety/whoweare/abouthistory.law

I would contact them and see if their library can help. The may have law lists or explain how to use them or they may have a fact sheet about research.

Jane

[united]

Thanks for that - I'll give it a try!

[corinne]

If you have some clues about dates and places, then trade directories like Pigots can be really helpful. 

[united]

Thanks for that Corinne - I know he was in Jersey at some time, because he is shown as a lawyer on his son's marriage certificate in 1847.  However, although it does not say "deceased" on the certificate, I suspect he may have been, as a possible wife in showing living with only her children on the 1841 census.  You can see that information is very vague here!!! 

I cannot find his marriage, his death - or anything else - which is why the list of lawyers is a thought!