About LRS
WHAT IS THE LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE?
The Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas, Inc. is a non-profit public service. The Austin
Lawyer Referral 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.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
After screening your call to determine what type of legal help you need, LRS will
refer you to an attorney that 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 will be made 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.. 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 an attorney.
IS THERE A FEE FOR CONTACTING LRS?
No. The referral is free. Attorneys will charge a nominal fee for a brief consultation
and will charge for their legal 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 an attorney
go to our Frequently Asked Questions page
for some guidance.
WILL THE ATTORNEY CHARGE A FEE?
In most cases (except personal injury, bankruptcy, social security disability) you
will be charged a nominal consultation fee for the first thirty minutes in the attorney’s
office. After the first thirty minutes, you are subject to the attorney’s
hourly rates so be certain to discuss attorneys’ fees.
WHAT IF I NEED LEGAL HELP AFTER THE INITIAL THIRTY MINUTES?
If you need further legal services, there will be additional attorney’s fees
that you and your attorney 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 ATTORNEYS?
No. We make one referral at a time. You should make sure you feel comfortable with
that attorney, both personally and financially, before hiring them. If that attorney
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.
CAN YOU RECOMMEND AN ATTORNEY?
We cannot indicate our personal preferences. All the attorneys on our panel go through
a yearly screening process, are active members in good standing of the State Bar
of Texas and most participate with their local bar association.
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