LRS Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Lawyer Referral Service?
The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service refers potential clients to attorneys. Staff at the lawyer referral service will match people looking for lawyers with attorneys who are experienced in the appropriate area of law. You will then see the lawyer for an initial consultation or speak to the lawyer on the phone.
I need a lawyer. Where do I start?
If you have legal problems or needs, contact us. We will help you find a lawyer or other resource that best matches your legal needs and financial means.
- By phone: 800-342-8011, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The call-in service is closed on legal holidays. Se habla Español.
- Online, anytime
I need to schedule a meeting with an attorney today. Is this possible?
Our Lawyer Referral Service staff will provide you the name of an attorney with whom you can contact the same day. Almost all attorneys or support staff will pre-screen calls to make sure there are not any conflicts. If the attorney has availability they can set up a same day meeting.
Do you provide pro bono lawyers?
The program does not have pro bono attorneys, however, we can possibly refer you to a legal aid organization that may be able to help you.
Can you give me legal advice?
Only attorneys are authorized to give legal advice. Our Lawyer Referral Service staff are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice.
How do I know your LRS lawyers are qualified?
Each attorney on the Lawyer Referral Service is vetted by staff before being accepted on a referral panel. Staff ensures each attorney is a Member In Good Standing with no pending probable cause complaints, and they all carry $100,000 of professional liability insurance before they can begin receiving referrals.
What are the chances an LRS lawyer will take my case?
Only a lawyer can tell you if you have a case and if they are willing to handle the case for you. Lawyer Referral Service staff cannot make that determination for you.
We will refer you to an attorney or agency that best matches your legal issue. When you contact the attorney for the consultation, the attorney will evaluate your case and determine if they can take your case. They will let you know the steps they need to take and the cost of their services.
How much does it cost and how do I pay?
Only a lawyer can tell you if you have a case and if they are willing to handle the case for you. Lawyer Referral Service staff cannot make that determination for you.
We will refer you to an attorney or agency that best matches your legal issue. When you contact the attorney for the consultation, the attorney will evaluate your case and determine if they can take your case. They will let you know the steps they need to take and the cost of their services.
Will the lawyer be close to where I live?
We will try to connect you with an attorney who is near your residence. However, there are instances when we do not have any attorney in the area and you will have to travel to his/her offices.
What if I need a lawyer in another county or state?
The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service provides referrals for 47 of the 67 counties in Florida.
To find an attorney in a county not covered by our service, please view our Coverage Area.
If you need a lawyer outside of Florida, visit the ABA National Directory for a referral source in that area.
Will the information I give you be kept confidential?
When you contact The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service, our staff will collect your information in order to assess your legal needs and refer you to an appropriate lawyer or direct you to a community group that may be able to assist you with your legal needs. If we determine that you require a referral to a lawyer, we will alert that lawyer that we have referred you to him/her and we will share your information with him/her. We do not proactively share any personal information with other individuals or advertisers.
Note that Florida does have very broad public records laws. Many written communications to or from The Florida Bar may be considered public records, which must be made available to anyone upon request.
How do I prepare for my first meeting with an attorney?
The more prepared you are, the less time it will take for the lawyer to understand and help you resolve your legal issue. This could result in savings to you.
- Get organized. Prepare a written account or detailed notes outlining your legal problem or questions. The lawyer must know all the details in order to decide what is important to your case.
- Be honest. An honest account about your problem, including information that may be favorable or unfavorable, is very important. Only if you are completely candid can a lawyer properly advise you. Remember that there are strict rules that require a lawyer to keep your information confidential.
- Talk about how much this will cost you. Your lawyer will be ready to discuss fees during your first meeting. You should be ready to do the same. You can and should negotiate fees and discuss payment plans with your lawyer. Get your agreement in writing and keep a copy for your file. Most disputes about fees happen because there is no written record of an agreement.
Can I come to the LRS office to speak with someone about my case?
We do not have walk in service. We ask that you contact us via telephone if you need one on one customer service.
Do you have lawyers who speak Spanish?
Yes, we do have attorneys who speak Spanish. We also have attorneys who speak the following languages: Arabic, Bulgarian, Dutch, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Urdu.
