About Lawyer Referral Services

Litigation and other legal proceedings are often intimidating and not everyone is familiar with the various branches of law. With so many lawyers and law practices, how does a person know which one to choose? For people facing this plight, there are services that offer recommendations to lawyers in their geographical area.

What lawyer referral services do
People sometimes need lawyers and lawyers, naturally, need clients to stay in business, so the solution in both instances is simple: a lawyer referral service. This is a service through which people who have no experience navigating the court system and no knowledge of what they need in terms of legal services, can find legal help. A person in need of a lawyer will call the referral service and for a small fee will be advised on what type of lawyer they need and even if they need the services of a lawyer at all. If they need a lawyer, the service will recommend one from its pool of attorneys, one that specializes in the area of law that the client needs. In this way both parties get what they need.

Laws governing lawyer referral services
The service, by law, cannot only offer referrals to lawyers, they must also make the client aware of free services like legal aid clinics that may be able to help them. This is especially necessary in the case of low-income clients who may not be able to afford a lawyer’s fee. Another rule is that membership in the referral service must be open to all the qualified lawyers who practice in the area that the referral service serves. The service also cannot refer paying clients to any of the people who own it. The service must have procedures in place for the suspension or removal of lawyers from its list of lawyers. These procedures, however, must also include a process by which the lawyer can appeal the suspension or removal.