State Bar of Wisconsin

Lawyer Referral and Information Service

• How to get help

If you have a legal problem, and you need an attorney in Wisconsin, call the State Bar's Lawyer Referral and Information Service. Clients who need legal help are matched with concerned lawyers by professional legal assistants.

LRIS is a public service project. Callers from all over the state get help through three services: Lawyer Referral, Lawyer Hotline, and Community Referral. When you call the service, you will not get legal advice. However, you will talk to a legal assistant who is experienced in analyzing potential legal problems -- and in helping you locate the best source of help.

Lawyer referral

It may be determined that you really need to speak to a lawyer. If so, the legal assistant can refer you to an attorney in your area who has indicated an interest in dealing with your type of legal situation. When you tell the attorney that you were referred by LRIS, it will cost no more than $20 for the first half-hour consultation.

In some cases, you will receive an answer to your problem at the first meeting. If your problem requires work beyond the first half-hour, the lawyer's regular rates will be charged.

Lawyer hotline

If you are looking for general legal information or an answer to a simple legal question, you can get help through this program. LRIS will make an appointment for a lawyer to call you back, free of charge, within a few days to briefly discuss your question.

Most hotline questions involve landlord/tenant, small claims court, basic family law, simple wills, bankruptcy and traffic issues. Attorneys do not discuss specific documents, topics requiring complex evaluation or research, or court procedures other than small claims courts.

Community referral

Maybe you don't need a lawyer. LRIS can refer you to other resources that may be able to help with legal concerns. The legal assistant can provide you information about resources such as government agencies, community resources, consumer protection, the legislative hotline, low income legal services, the equal rights division, or other services.

How to get help

By phone: To access the Lawyer Referral and Information Service, call (800) 362-9082 (outside the Madison area) or (608) 257-4666 (in Madison or outside Wisconsin). The hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday - Friday.

By Internet: Use our online referral service to get the name of a lawyer in your geographic area who accepts cases in the area of law you need. Visit Need a Lawyer? at www.legalexplorer.com.

Helpful hints for working with a lawyer

• Ask about cost. If your problem requires more work than the initial half-hour consultation, remember to ask for the lawyer's fees in writing.
• Remember your rights. You do not have to hire the lawyer after the initial consultation; feel free to find a lawyer with whom you are comfortable. You have hired a lawyer when you agree to allow them to do more legal work for you.
• Be prepared. When you call the lawyer for the appointment, ask what papers you should bring to the first half-hour consultation. Be prepared to give the lawyer all background information. You may also want to prepare a list of questions to ask the lawyer.
• Be efficient. If you do hire an attorney, don't make unnecessary phone calls. Most lawyers charge for the time spent on the phone with a client. Keep a running list of questions; cover them in one phone call or ask them at your next scheduled appointment.
• Keep records. File any material you receive from your lawyer in one place. Your file is often the best way to answer your questions about your case.

If you have any questions concerning any of these services, please contact Patricia Ruppert for more information.

Related links:

• LegalExplorer Consumer legal website