how to get a good lawyer referral

by Amara Ullrich 6 min read

Top tips for lawyer referral marketing

  • Provide an excellent client experience. If you want more law firm referrals, you need to deliver a level of service that’s worth referring to.
  • Share positive testimonials. Providing a great client experience is good for your clients. But it can also make a positive impact on the broader community.
  • Make it easy to refer clients to you. Clients may want to refer you but aren’t sure how or where to do it. ...
  • Ask clients for referrals. It also doesn’t hurt to be proactive with your client relationships when you’re seeking out law firm referrals—just ask.
  • Build relationships with other professionals. When it comes to finding law firm referrals, look for people and places—beyond other lawyers—where you might be able to help.
  • Share when others are referring clients to you. If you’re getting a lot of business from referrals, that speaks to the good work that you do. ...
  • Be visible as a lawyer in your community. Referral marketing for lawyers doesn’t have to be complicated. ...
  • Ask other lawyers for referrals. It may seem futile to ask other lawyers for referrals, but doing so can build up a lawyer referral network that can benefit you, other ...
  • Thank your referrers. A one-off referral is valuable right now, but nurturing good relationships with the people who refer you can make a big difference in the long term.

You can also find a certified lawyer referral service by: Going to LawhelpCalifornia.org. to find more information on a State Bar-certified lawyer referral service; Calling the State Bar's Lawyer Referral Services Directory at 1-866-442-2529 (toll free in California) or 1-415-538-2250 (from outside California); or.

How do I contact a lawyer for referrals?

Give us a call at 1-888-858-2546. Law firms rely on referrals for new business, but getting referrals isn’t always easy. Lawyer referral marketing is becoming increasingly difficult, especially with the obstacles and rapid legal industry changes brought about by the pandemic.

What are the Best Lawyer Referral marketing tools?

Here are two key lawyer referral marketing tools to consider: Case Status for easier client referrals. By giving clients real-time updates regarding the status of their case, Case Status helps you provide a better client experience (which can lead to more positive referrals).

Why is client experience important for law firm referrals?

But it’s also an important driver of law firm referrals. Excellent client experiences lead to more positive referrals because people naturally want to share good experiences with others. People also want to reward the providers of those good experiences.

How do I find a good lawyer?

Most communities have referral services to help people find lawyers. You might be able to find them under “Lawyer Referral Service” or something similar in your yellow pages. These services usually recommend a lawyer in the area to evaluate a situation.

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How should you refer to a lawyer?

When you correspond with a lawyer, you have two choices:Write the person using a standard courtesy title (“Mr. Robert Jones” or “Ms. Cynthia Adams”)Skip the courtesy title and put “Esquire” after the name, using its abbreviated form, “Esq.” (“Robert Jones, Esq.” or “Cynthia Adams, Esq.”)

How do you impress a lawyer?

They should be clear, thoughtful and relevant. Asking a lot of smart questions about the firm and your practice area also shows interest, and thus motivation. It also makes you look good by showing that you are intelligent, savvy and well-prepared.

How do I choose a law firm to represent me?

10 Factors To Consider When Choosing A Law Firm To Represent YouExperience with your case type. ... Expertise in your local area. ... Advocacy style. ... Fee schedules. ... Employment history. ... Diversity. ... Reputation. ... Communication.More items...•

How do I find out if a lawyer is good?

So if you're curious, use these five quick ways to research whether your lawyer is legit:State Bar Profile. Every lawyer who is licensed to practice law in your home state must be listed in your state bar association's directory. ... Google / Search Engines. ... Yelp. ... The Attorney's Own Website. ... Third-Party Rating Groups.

Do u tell your lawyer the truth?

It's almost always advisable to tell your lawyer the whole truth about your case, even if you've committed a crime. Giving your lawyer all the facts helps them craft the best defense by raising reasonable doubt. Even when a client admits guilt, there are usually many mitigating circumstances that can come into play.

How is it like dating a lawyer?

Lawyers love commitment. This one is big: lawyers love hard facts both in work and love, so they want to be in a solid relationship. They love to be clear about their dating status and will want to have their significant other write on the calendar when their anniversary is.

Does your lawyer have to be local?

In all honesty, in 95% of the cases, the location of the attorney doesn't matter. We don't live in the 1800's anymore where people had to hire an in town attorney, as there were no other options. In today's legal market, it's the lawyer that matters, not where they are.

Why is a law firm important?

You can consult a law firm to avail many benefits, including quality advice, legal assistance, and litigation. Unlike consultation with an individual lawyer, they can offer in-depth expertise over every aspect of your case rather than focusing on a particular subject matter.

What is an attorney UK?

The term lawyer is a generic term used to describe anyone who is a Licensed Legal Practitioner qualified to give legal advice in one or more areas of law. Put simply, solicitors and barristers are both types of lawyer.

What should you not say to a lawyer?

Five things not to say to a lawyer (if you want them to take you..."The Judge is biased against me" Is it possible that the Judge is "biased" against you? ... "Everyone is out to get me" ... "It's the principle that counts" ... "I don't have the money to pay you" ... Waiting until after the fact.

Why do lawyers ignore you?

If your attorney is not experienced or efficient, they may have missed a deadline or made another mistake and aren't willing to confess their error. There could also be some bad news that is entirely outside of the attorney's control.

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.

What is the next step in a referral agreement?

If your jurisdiction allows for referral fees, the next step is to create an ethical, formal attorney fee referral agreement that abides by the rules. With a properly crafted, specific written agreement, you can set clear expectations and ensure transparency for all parties.

How to drive more clients to your law firm?

Lawyer referral marketing takes effort, but referrals can be one of the most effective, affordable, and sustainable ways to drive more clients to your firm. Start by delivering a positive client experience that makes your customers want to refer you, then make it easy for them to do so.

Why is it important to have good client experiences?

Excellent client experiences lead to more positive referrals because people naturally want to share good experiences with others. People also want to reward the providers of those good experiences. With this in mind, the best approach to referral marketing at your firm is to prioritize putting your clients first.

How to grow a law firm in 2021?

In 2021, the key to growing your law firm comes down to putting yourself and your firm out there. While this requires some time and effort, building a solid lawyer referral marketing program at your firm is an effective way to get more law firm referrals. Ultimately, this means more business for your legal practice.

Is it good to share testimonials?

Providing a great client experience is good for your clients. But it can also make a positive impact on the broader community. If you’ve provided a good experience and your clients are talking about it, share those testimonials whenever you can in an ethical way. For example, you may be able to share positive testimonials on your law firm website—just be sure to check the rules for your jurisdiction.

Is it good to have a good client experience with a law firm?

Consumers now expect their experience with any business— including law firms—to be convenient, seamless, and client-focused. Providing this kind of positive client experience is good for your legal clients. But it’s also an important driver of law firm referrals.

Is it good to refer someone to you?

A one-off referral is valuable right now, but nurturing good relationships with the people who refer you can make a big difference in the long term. A little positive reinforcement encourages others to keep coming back and referring more to you. Remembering a simple thank you—whether via email or, even better, a hand-written note—goes a long way.

What should I look for when choosing a lawyer?

The lawyer will be helping you solve your problems, so the first qualification is that you must feel comfortable enough to tell him or her, honestly and completely, all the facts necessary to resolve your problem.

Are there any practical considerations to keep in mind when choosing a lawyer?

Yes, the lawyer’s area of expertise and prior experience are important. Many states have specialization programs that certify lawyers as specialists in certain types of law.

Where should I start to look for a lawyer?

There are many ways to find a reliable lawyer. One of the best is a recommendation from a trusted friend, relative, or business associate. Be aware, however, that each legal case is different and that a lawyer who is right for someone else may not suit you or your legal problem.

Are advertisements a good place to look for a lawyer?

In some ways, yes, ads are useful. However, always be careful about believing everything you read and hear — and nowhere is this truer than with advertisements. Newspaper, telephone directory, radio, television, and Internet ads, along with direct mail, can make you familiar with the names of lawyers who may be appropriate for your legal needs.

What about a local referral service?

Most communities have referral services to help people find lawyers. You might be able to find them under “Lawyer Referral Service” or something similar in your yellow pages. These services usually recommend a lawyer in the area to evaluate a situation.

My new job offers a prepaid legal services plan. What can I expect?

Legal services, like many other things, are often less expensive when bought in bulk. Some employers, labor and credit unions, and other groups have formed “legal insurance” plans. These plans vary. Many cover most, if not all, of the cost of legal consultations, document preparation, and court representation in routine legal matters.

I want to hire a lawyer, but I do not have much money. Where can I find low-cost legal help?

Several legal assistance programs offer inexpensive or free legal services to those in need. Look in the yellow pages under topics such as “legal clinics,” “legal aid,” or “legal advice,” or search online. Most legal aid programs have special guidelines for eligibility, often based on where you live, the size of your family, and your income.

Create Referral Networks

Life should be a give and take. If you specialize in estate planning, family law or intellectual property rights disputes, you’re not qualified to handle personal injury cases.

Ask Your Clients to Refer a Friend

The best source of referrals for any service business is word-of-mouth marketing. Attorneys can ask their current and former clients to refer their friends. You shouldn’t do this while you’re handling an active case. However, you can send them thank you cards for their business or seasonal greets with a request that they refer a friend.

Upgrade Your Social Media Presence

Create a social media profile for your business. Share content related to your area of expertise. Seek reviews from your clients, and share any praise anyone posts about your law firm. Ask your staff to list the law firm as their employer. Don’t forget to set up a law firm profile on LinkedIn.

Improve Your Local Search Engine Optimization

Many people do online searches when they don’t have an attorney recommended to them by friends or family. You are competing against a million other attorneys when you try to outrank them in general internet searches. However, you can rank well in location based searches. These searches will draw on data in business directories.

Seek Online Reviews

Showing up near the top of general internet and business directory search results is essential. However, it is your online rating that will distinguish you from the competition. If you don’t have any online business reviews, you’ll be skipped in favor of the competitor with four stars.

Create Great Content

We’re assuming you have a business website that’s already optimized to attract clients in your geographic area to the page. The next step is creating great content. If you can create content that answers their most important questions, you’ll demonstrate your competence.

Consider Doing Pro Bono Work

If you’re willing to take a few cases for free such as cases referred to you by a charity, you could generate follow up referrals. You can ask the charity to mention the charitable work in their advertising or promotions. You can discuss your charitable work, as well. And these pro bono clients are likely to generate word of mouth referrals.

Lawyer Referral Service

Do you seek legal advice without contracting an attorney to work for you?

Testimonials

A+ for providing a prompt, useful connection to an attorney at a difficult time.

The frequent referrals back and forth with your friends, helping each other out, is yet another reason SmallLaw is preferable to Biglaw

In Biglaw, we always had emails going around asking for a DUI lawyer for a client’s kid or a “reasonably priced” family law attorney for an employee of the firm getting a divorce. I tried to help out when I could and pass along names of friends or former colleagues.

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Make The Right First Impression

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