Lawyer Referral and Information Service
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.
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