how to set up a lawyer referral services

• Create your referral service with the same formality as you would an independent business for one of your clients. This isn’t the time for shortcuts. ...
• Keep independent records and books.
• Set up the service in a separate physical location. Is it ethically necessary? No, but it’s smart. Keeping the businesses physically separate minimizes confusion and increases the appearance of neutrality. ...
• Consider hiring separate staff for the referral service. This will offer further protection against potential conflict of interest arguments. ...
• Train referral staff on unlawful practice of law issues and other concerns related to the service. ...
Use disclaimers in your advertising, on your website, in online forms, or as part of a recorded greeting heard by all callers. ...
While the assertion of negligent referral is a rare thing, the right client in the right circumstance may make a claim. Be prepared and inquire into proper business insurance coverage. ...

Why would I use a lawyer referral service?

Member attorneys serve on more than 25 legal specialty panels which include:

• Personal Injury
• Criminal Law
• Estate Planning
• Family Law
• Bankruptcy Law
• Real Estate Law
• Landlord-Tenant Law
• Workers Compensation Law
• Business Law
• Government Benefits

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How to join a lawyer referral service?

Several of the benefits that LegalMatch offers over traditional lawyer referral services include:

• The fact that all attorneys are pre-screened. ...
• LegalMatch allows you to view detailed information about all prospective attorney matches. ...
• With LegalMatch, you only need to state your legal issue one time. ...
• LegalMatch permits you to post your case while remaining completely confidential throughout the process. ...

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Should I call a lawyer referral service?

They are:

• We want to remain personal and professional. ...
• At Sibley Dolman Gipe Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, all injury claims are handled primarily by a lawyer, not a paralegal or case manager. ...
• All the legal work produced by Sibley Dolman Gipe Accident Injury Lawyers, PA is generated by a member of the Florida Bar, as opposed to general staff members. ...

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What exactly does the lawyer referral service do?

You can prepare for your conversation with the legal representative in the following ways:

• Think about what you are going to say. Plan to explain your situation clearly and simply, starting from the beginning.
• Gather together any papers that are important. ...
• When you talk to the legal representative, speak openly. ...
• During your conversation with the legal representative, you may want to write down a few notes. ...

Grow Your Practice

Connecting with potential clients is the first step to growing your practice. The PBA’s Lawyer Referral Service (LRS), exclusively for PBA members, is the perfect way for you to connect with people in need of legal help! The PBA LRS receives over 10,000 inquires each year from individuals seeking an attorney.

How it Works

Sign up to be an LRS Panelist (annual fee of $150) – members only! Not a member? Join today!

Starting Your Own For Profit Referral Service

Have you ever thought about starting your own for-profit lawyer referral service? Using staff to screen incoming calls and match potential clients to lawyers?

Can I own a for-profit lawyer referral service?

Yes! However: lawyers are not permitted to use other businesses (such as a lawyer referral service) for in-person solicitation of legal work. Nor may lawyers misrepresent the nature of services provided. OSB Formal Ethics Op No 2005-10; OSB Formal Ethics Op No 2005-106 (rev 2016); OSB Formal Ethics Op No 2005-108 (rev 2015).

Can I manage a for-profit lawyer referral service?

Yes! General management and administration of a lawyer referral service is ethical. This includes duties such as hiring staff or supervising operations.

May I operate my for-profit lawyer referral service at the same premises as my law practice?

Yes! Since lawyers are allowed to office share with non-lawyers, there is no ethical barrier to operating a referral service at the same physical location as your law practice.

What ethical issues might arise in operating a for-profit lawyer referral service?

Lawyer-owners should avoid participating in the actual screening of incoming inquiries (potential clients). This eliminates two risks.

In my opinion

If you decide to operate a lawyer referral service, consider taking these extra steps to minimize your liability.

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 is a lawyer referral service?

Lawyer Referral Service is a free public service of the State Bar of Nevada. It’s an outstanding resource when you’re looking for an attorney but don’t know who to call. Each year LRIS refers more than 15,000 people to panel attorneys.

What to expect when calling LRS?

When you call LRS, you will be asked what area of the state you are calling from and the nature of your legal problem. Any information you provide will be held in the strictest confidence. The LRS staff are not lawyers and therefore cannot give you legal advice, but will help you find the right resource for your situation. ...