how to refer a new client to another lawyer

Here’s an easy way to get your first client: let other attorneys know you are looking for work. If you are lucky enough to be working in a shared office space, tell those attorneys you are looking for work. Don’t send them an email.

Full Answer

Should you refer a client to a lawyer?

Let’s face it, the client called you for a reason. Even if it is a case which you do not handle but you know someone who does, you want the client to be pleased. If you refer a client to a lawyer and the client has complaints about that lawyer, it will reflect poorly on you.

What should I do if a referring attorney does not contact me?

Make sure the referring attorney calls the potential client promptly. Don’t lose the potential client because of a slow follow up. Whether it is a large case or small case, don’t lose it because the referring attorney failed to contact the client promptly.

Do you have to pay a referral lawyer a fee?

You should be able to find someone you can recommend. If the lawyer you refer clients to reflects poorly on you, find a new referring attorney. It is standard for a contingent fee lawyer to pay the referring lawyer a fee based on the recovery. But what about other areas of the law? Do bankruptcy or divorce lawyers pay a referring lawyer a fee?

Can I give a gift for a lawyer referral?

The Rules of Professional Conduct do not prohibit sending something of value for a referral. This is true even of non-attorneys, so long as the gift of appreciation is not in exchange for the referral. There are a lot of personal injury/workers’ compensation/disability lawyers out there.

What is referrals in law?

Referrals are generated through business development. While a broad term, in this context, it means developing relationships and agreements with other lawyers and firms. Lawyers who see you as a competitor aren’t going to refer clients to you.

What do attorneys need to be willing to do?

All attorneys, co-counsel and staff need to be willing to demonstrate exemplary communication and reporting skills to your clients. This can even create a significant advantage for your practice. Your credibility and reputation must match or exceed that of other firms in your market.

Why are law firms so competitive?

Legal services, including law firms, are among the most competitive industries to market and advertise. Due to high fees and wide margins, firms tend to have deep pockets to spend on advertising. It would be great if lawyers were rewarded with more work just based on merit alone.

Do you have clients?

Second, but equally as important is your attitude and execution around customer service. Yes, you have clients, not customers, but it still stands. You want to be communicating with your clients every step of the way. If you find that they are calling or emailing you for updates on their work, then you need to pay more attention to your customer service.

Can clients be referrals?

Clients can be a great source of referrals for your law firm. This is especially true for some areas of practice over others, such as family law, estate planning as well as business and corporate (when positioned correctly).

How to get referrals?

There’s one last step in giving or getting a referral: Write it down. When someone sends you a client, or when you send a referral, record the details in your list or database of referral sources. Do this whether or not the referral works out. Make it easy on yourself and record it contemporaneously instead of trying to recreate all your referrals for the year. It’s part of keeping your network alive.

Can a lawyer share fees with a non-lawyer?

Under Model Rule 5.4 (a), you can’t share fees with a non-lawyer, ever. But if a lawyer referred the client, you are allowed to share fees if you follow Model Rule 1.5 (e), or your jurisdiction’s equivalent. The total fee has to be reasonable, the fee-sharing has to be proportional to the work involved or both lawyers have to be responsible for the representation, and the client has to agree — in writing — to the arrangement, including the fee split.

Can a lawyer call a client?

Your client, not you, should decide whether to contact someone about his matter. And remember, if you’re referring him to another lawyer, that lawyer can’t call him first. That being said, always ask the client if he wants you to call the person you’re referring him to, to let her know he might be calling — and assure him you won’t discuss his legal matter with her. Giving your referral source a heads-up does double duty — it lets her know that you’re thinking of her, even if your client doesn’t call, and it can ease your client’s concern about calling someone he doesn’t know.

When You Refer a Matter to Another Lawyer

John Adams has been your client for many years. You’ve represented him in a variety of matters, including the preparation of his prenuptial agreement with Jane, the purchase of his home, and most of his business matters. You receive a call from John one day.

Finding a More Qualified Lawyer

While you’re talking with John, you think of your friend and law school classmate, Henry James, who has, as you know, conducted a number of CLE programs in Estate Planning for the local bar association and is an acknowledged expert and authority in the field.

The Issue of Competence

But Rule 1.5 does not say anything about the relative competence of the lawyers in a referral matter. Instead, you have to refer to the most sacred of all disciplinary rules — Rule 1.1, which is entitled simply “Competence” and is first among all the rules

What happens if a client is not benefiting from therapy?

Therapy isn’t always easy for the therapist or for the person seeking help. There may be sessions where progress seems to stall or your client reports a setback. If this continues to happen, you may wonder whether therapy is serving your client.

When making a referral, is it important to consider your reasons?

When you do make the decision to refer a client, it’s important to consider your reasons for making a referral. Ask yourself if you can address your lack of knowledge yourself. Therapists are generally expected to continue their education and develop their counseling abilities throughout their careers.

How to help someone with occupational challenges?

Mindfulness exercises and relaxation techniques can often help. However, it is also important to take time for yourself outside of work. Maintaining a good work-life balance can keep occupational challenges from overwhelming you. Therapists can benefit from therapy too.

What are some issues that people seek therapy for?

If They Would Be Better Served by a Specialist. Some people seek therapy with a general idea of the issues they’re experiencing, such as depression, anxiety, or grief. Others may seek help for a variety of symptoms they don’t understand.

What are the mental health challenges that you don't have the training to address?

These may include symptoms of personality disorders, dissociative disorders, or psychosis. These conditions may require specialized treatment.

What happens if you use value judgments as a reason to refer someone to another professional?

If you use value judgments as a reason to refer someone to another professional, the individual may feel abandoned.

Is culturally competent counseling considered specialized treatment?

Culturally competent counseling is not considered specialized treatment. It’s possible to provide quality care to a marginalized person even when you don’t share their background. Generally, it is inappropriate to refer someone simply because you’re unfamiliar with their culture, ethnic background, or sexual orientation.

How to choose a lawyer?

Choosing a lawyer is a crucial step in the resolution of your legal matter. Whether you are a plaintiff or a defendant, or merely a party looking for counsel, the right lawyer is key. But like all relationships, the lawyer-client relationship does not always last forever. Common problems that clients report with attorneys include: 1 Poor results. The lawyer is simply not achieving the results you were led to believe he or she could achieve. 2 Bad communication. The lawyer is not communicating about crucial legal matters and decisions, leaving you uncertain of where your matter is or what's expected of you. 3 Lack of professionalism. The lawyer perhaps arrives late to meetings, doesn't remember key facts about the case, cannot find documents already provided by the client, and even forgets to submit documents by key deadlines.

Why is it important to choose a lawyer?

Choosing a lawyer is a crucial step in the resolution of your legal matter. Whether you are a plaintiff or a defendant, or merely a party looking for counsel, the right lawyer is key. But like all relationships, the lawyer-client relationship does not always last forever.

Why do judges get annoyed with lawyer shopping?

Judges in particular might become annoyed at a client who is "lawyer shopping," because this delays the matter and clogs their dockets. It also suggests that you are a difficult client, or that your claims are not meritorious.

What are the bad things about lawyers?

Bad communication. The lawyer is not communicating about crucial legal matters and decisions, leaving you uncertain of where your matter is or what's expected of you. Lack of professionalism.

Does a lawyer-client relationship last forever?

. . . like all relationships, the lawyer-client relationship does not always last forever.

Is a lawyer responsible for your own legal affairs?

One important thing to realize is that, even though you hired the services of a professional, you are still ultimately responsible for your own legal affairs, and for what your lawyer says and does on your behalf. If you believe there is a problem with the service you are receiving, it may be vital to your interests to do something about it.