May 2004
Client needs going unmet: Attorneys needed for referral service
Every year, more than 1,000 clients with qualifying legal needs are
unable to obtain a referral to an attorney through the State Bar's
Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) because there are no LRIS
panel attorneys in the counties where callers need help. "New
sophisticated software enables us to pinpoint the counties in need of
LRIS panel attorneys," said committee chair Brian Smigelski. "We want to
increase our service to these underrepresented areas, and to do that, we
must expand our pool of LRIS panelists."
Attorneys are especially needed in the state's more rural counties
(see inset below); however, attorneys statewide are encouraged to
register for the service. While the highest percentages of callers need
family or criminal law help, LRIS seeks attorneys in all areas of
practice.
"Lawyers who register can join two pools of referrals - phone and
Internet," says Smigelski. "It's a win-win situation for both clients
and attorneys. LRIS offers a valuable public service and a way for
attorneys to build their client base."
Web and phone referrals are at an all-time high. 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 legal assistants listen to and evaluate callers' needs,
then refer them to an attorney, a community or government resource, or
the Lawyer Hotline, or simply try to answer a basic question.
Lawyer 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 Web 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. Clients contact attorneys directly to
set up an appointment, and LRIS sends the attorney related paperwork via
conventional mail.
The LRIS fee is $95 for attorneys practicing for more than three
years, $75 for attorneys practicing between one and three years, and $45
for attorneys in their first year of practice. To register for the
period July 1, 2004, to June 30, 2005, contact Kristin Johnson at (800)
444-9404, ext. 6171 or (608) 250-6171.
Inside the Bar
