WHAT IS THE LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE?
The Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas, Inc. (LRS) is a non-profit public service established in 1966. It is headquartered in Austin and serves Travis and surrounding counties. LRS refers about 12,000 callers to the Central Texas attorneys each year. The program was designed to assist persons who are able to pay normal attorney fees but whose ability to locate legal representation is frustrated by a lack of experience with the legal system, a lack of information about the type of services needed, or a fear of the potential costs of seeing a lawyer.
The Lawyer Referral Service offers two important services to the public:
- it helps the client determine if the problem is truly of a legal nature by screening inquiries and referring the client to other service agencies when appropriate;
- and most important, it provides the client with an unbiased referral to an attorney who has experience in the area of law appropriate to the client’s needs.
The Lawyer Referral Service has been given the American Bar Association "seal of approval" by following the ABA model rules for the operation of public service lawyer referral programs. The Referral Service of Central Texas was the first recipient of the American Bar Association’s Cindy Raisch Award recognizing LRS’s superior service of delivery of legal services to the community. It received the award again in 2010.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
After screening your call to determine what type of legal help you need, LRS will refer you to a lawyer who practices in that area of law or to an community service agency that might be able to assist you. Referrals are based on the type of help you need, your geographic location, and the language you speak. LRS does not provide free legal services. All information received is strictly confidential.
Telephone referrals are available from 8:00am to 4:30pm and web access referrals are available on this website 24 hours a day. If you are confused about what type of lawyer you need, our friendly staff will assist. Trained LRS staff will ask a series of questions in order to determine your needs. LRS staff cannot give legal advice. You will be given the name and number of a lawyer or given the name and number of another company or agency that may help.
IS THERE A FEE FOR CONTACTING LRS?
The referral is free. If you consult with a lawyer, you will be charged only $20 for up to thirty minutes (the $20 consultation fee is forwarded to LRS). Lawyers will charge for their services if you decide to hire the attorney.
DO I NEED A LAWYER?
If you are confused about whether not you need to consult with or hire a lawyer, go to our Frequently Asked Questions page for some guidance. We may be able to refer you to an agency that will solve your problem without the need to hire a lawyer.
WILL THE ATTORNEY CHARGE A FEE?
In most cases (except personal injury, bankruptcy, social security disability) you will be charged a nominal consultation fee ($20) for up to thirty minutes in the lawyer's office. After the first thirty minutes, you are subject to their hourly rates so be certain to understand the legal fees before you proceed.
WHAT IF I NEED LEGAL HELP AFTER THE INITIAL THIRTY MINUTES?
If you need further legal services, there will be additional legal fees that you and your lawyer will agree upon before you proceed. Be sure to ask for a fee agreement in writing if you wish to continue legal services.
DO YOU PROVIDE A LIST OF LAWYERS?
We generally make one referral at a time. You should make sure you feel comfortable with that lawyer, both personally and financially, before hiring them. If the referral does not work out for you, you may contact the referral service for an additional referral. We cannot make a referrals based on age, gender, race, or religion of the lawyer.
CAN YOU RECOMMEND AN ATTORNEY?
We cannot indicate our personal preferences. All the lawyers on our panel go through a yearly screening process, are active members in good standing with the State Bar of Texas and most participate with their local bar association.
