July 15, 2009 – “The State Bar’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) offers attorneys an easy way to serve the public, but also is ideal for attorneys who lack the time to market their services,” says LRIS Committee chair Janice Bensky of Madison. “The State Bar prescreens LRIS referrals saving lawyers even more time. It’s a win-win situation for both clients and attorneys.”
Attorneys are especially needed in more rural counties; however, attorneys statewide are encouraged to register for the service. While the highest percentages of callers need administrative, consumer, criminal, family, real property, torts, labor, bankruptcy, estate planning, and business law help, LRIS seeks attorneys in all practice areas.
How LRIS works. Lawyers who register can join two pools of referrals – phone and Internet. Web referrals account for more than 40 percent of the total referrals made, yet the Web site’s existence has not decreased the number of phone calls to the service, which remains at more than 40,000 annually.
Experienced LRIS legal assistants evaluate callers’ needs and then either refer them to an attorney, a community or government resource, or the Lawyer Hotline, or answer basic questions.
Participation in the Internet service is optional and included with LRIS registration at no additional charge. Users access LRIS through LegalExplorer.com, the State Bar’s consumer site, and receive referrals by selecting a legal practice area and geographic location. As with LRIS’s telephone referral service, online referrals are made on an impartial, county-by-county, rotation basis with both types of referrals. Clients contact attorneys directly to set up appointments.
Join now and pay just $95 for a full year of referrals, or save 10 percent and sign up for two years for $171. Lawyers admitted to practice between July 1, 2007 and Dec. 1, 2008 can join for $75, and lawyers admitted in 2009 can join for $45 (through June 30, 2010).
To register, download a registration form or contact the State Bar at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6131.
