A Lawyer Referral Service is a service designed to help people who are in need of legal assistance. It connects individuals and families who are in need of legal services with lawyers who are members of the law society or bar association. These attorneys have agreed to participate in the service in exchange for a reduced rate for their initial consultation. The fee is also waived for cases involving medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, Social Security Disability, personal injury, or veteran’s or military law.
Many state bar associations provide referral services for their members. In California, for example, all lawyers who participate in a lawyer referral service must be certified by the State Bar. They must meet minimum standards and must continue their certification through submitting an application and an annual report.
Lawyer Referral Services are also available from advocacy groups and non-profit organizations. Attorney referral counselors are trained to answer any questions you may have regarding your legal issues. They will analyze your case and determine if you are eligible for free or low-cost legal services. If you are, you will be referred to a nonprofit organization that can assist you with your case.
When you call, the Lawyer Referral and Information Service will ask you to give them your name, address, and the county you live in. The staff will then find out which attorney in your area is best suited for your needs. You can then schedule a 30-minute appointment to meet with the attorney.
The caller’s information will be kept in strict confidence and will only be shared with the attorney who is selected to take on your case. Before you leave, you will be given the lawyer referral service name and phone number of the attorney you are referred to.
During the appointment, you and the attorney will discuss the specific details of your case. After your appointment, you and your lawyer will decide on a fee for any additional legal services you need. This is based on the terms and conditions of the Lawyer Referral Service.
In order to join the Lawyer Referral and Information Service, you must have a valid bar license and a good history of ethics. You should also be in good standing with the state bar association, have excellent references, and have a disciplinary record free of serious errors.
Once you have received a referral, you can choose to hire the attorney or not. Depending on your needs, the fee will be either a flat fee or hourly. While most services offer an initial consultation for a fee, you can also request free consultations if you qualify. Legal Aid, for instance, provides free legal assistance to low-income individuals.
Attorneys who are part of the LRS Program are categorized by the type of area of law they practice. All attorneys participating in the Service agree to a reduced rate for their first half-hour consultation. For an additional county, the fee must be at least $1,250.