A legal issue arises, and now, you need to find a lawyer to handle it. In the past, you might have asked friends or family for recommendations, skimmed through your local phone book (remember the Yellow Pages?), or scanned newspaper articles for mentions of law firms. While these methods are still used today, they’re not always the most efficient or reliable way to locate a good attorney.
In today’s digital age, many people turn to the internet, conducting online searches or sifting through multiple review websites to find a lawyer. These methods, while generally more accessible, might not always yield reliable results. Plus, they can be time-consuming and potentially costly.
One method that has stood the test of time in locating legal counsel is the attorney referral service. This guide will dive into what attorney referral services are, how they work, and compare them with modern alternatives like LegalMatch to help you make an informed decision.
Attorney Referral Services: What Are They?
Attorney referral services are resources designed to connect people with lawyers who practice in the appropriate legal field for their cases. The Bar Association of a particular state typically organizes these services. In larger states, city or county bar associations may further categorize these services.
For instance, if you’re in Oklahoma and need a lawyer, the Oklahoma Bar Association provides a limited directory, but it doesn’t offer an attorney referral service. If you require such a service and are located within the right jurisdictions, you can visit the Tulsa County Bar Association’s website, which does provide an attorney referral service.
Services provided by state and local bar associations usually charge between $20 to $25 per attorney referral.
How Does an Attorney Referral Service Work?
So, how does this attorney referral service work? You start by locating and contacting the service. You’ll then need to explain your legal issue to a representative of the attorney referral service.
Based on the information you provide, the representative will comb through their database of attorneys and supply you with the contact details of a lawyer from their roster. But here’s the catch: How do you know that the lawyer you’re referred to best fits your specific case and not just the next attorney available to take a case? The sad truth is there’s no real way to tell.
If you want a selection of lawyers to choose from or wish to know more about the attorney you’ve been referred to – such as their case success rate – then an attorney referral service might not be the most efficient method to find the right lawyer for you.
This is reminiscent of the issues associated with using the Yellow Pages to find a lawyer, where an ad or phone number doesn’t provide enough information to evaluate the lawyer’s services. Using the Yellow Pages, like attorney referral services, can be hit-or-miss and often time-consuming.
The LegalMatch Platform: A Modern Solution
Recognizing the need for a more efficient and reliable method, LegalMatch developed a platform to revolutionize the traditional way of finding the right lawyer. Established in 2000, LegalMatch aims to simplify the process of locating a lawyer by empowering potential clients to make informed decisions about who to hire.
LegalMatch operates by connecting its users with local attorneys through its proprietary software. A user signs up for free and submits their case details. These details are then sent to local attorneys who practice in the relevant legal areas.
Lawyers who receive these alerts review the details and decide whether they’re interested and available to take on the case. If they are, they’ll reach out directly to the client to discuss the case further. The client is then free to decide whether to use the recommended attorney, with no obligation to hire that lawyer nor any charges for finding another one.
The LegalMatch Advantage: Why Choose LegalMatch Over Traditional Attorney Referral Services?
LegalMatch provides several significant advantages over traditional attorney referral services.
Pre-Screened Attorneys
LegalMatch requires each attorney registered with them to possess a valid bar license, have excellent references, maintain good standing with their state bar association, and have no serious disciplinary issues. In contrast, any lawyer can place an ad in the Yellow Pages without such stringent checks.
Detailed Information
With LegalMatch, you can access comprehensive information about all potential attorney matches. You’ll be able to learn about the attorney’s educational background, their legal experience, the types of cases they handle, their fees, and even client ratings from previous cases. In contrast, with traditional attorney referral services, you only get the name and phone number of the attorney. Any further information would require your own independent research.
Single Explanation
Unlike other methods where you might need to explain your case multiple times to different attorneys, LegalMatch requires you to state your legal issue only once during the submission process. From there, you have control over which attorney you choose to hire.
Confidentiality
LegalMatch allows you to post your case while maintaining complete anonymity. You can post from the comfort of your home or from your office. Potential attorney matches will only see the facts of your case and not your personal details.
Satisfaction Guarantee
LegalMatch offers a Satisfaction Guarantee of between $1,000 and $5,000 for all attorney matches, a benefit not typically provided by traditional attorney referral services.
Dedicated Platform
Instead of following the attorney referral service model, LegalMatch focuses on being a comprehensive platform for attorneys and potential clients to connect.
High Satisfaction Rate
Over 98% of LegalMatch users say they would use their services again and recommend them to their friends.
Range of Practice Areas
LegalMatch has a wide array of legal professionals covering nearly every legal field. This range of options ensures you can find a lawyer who practices in the precise area of law relevant to your case.
Free to Use
Using LegalMatch to find your potential attorney is completely free. You can submit your case without any charges, making it a cost-effective solution for those searching for legal counsel.
Speedy Process
Once you submit your case details, LegalMatch quickly forwards them to potential attorneys. This means you don’t have to wait long to start receiving responses from interested lawyers.
No Pressure
There’s no obligation to hire any of the attorneys that respond to your case. You have the freedom to review each one and make a decision based on your preferences and requirements.
Client-Lawyer Communication
LegalMatch encourages open communication between clients and lawyers. Before deciding on an attorney, you can ask questions, discuss fees, and get a better understanding of how they’d handle your case.
Accessibility
Since LegalMatch is an online platform, it’s accessible from anywhere, anytime. You can submit your case, review your matches, and communicate with potential lawyers at your convenience.
Educational Resources
LegalMatch also provides a wealth of legal information and resources on our website. This helps educate users about various legal topics, empowering them to make more informed decisions about their legal needs.
Track Record
LegalMatch has been successfully connecting clients and attorneys for over two decades. Our platform’s longevity and success rate speak volumes about its reliability and effectiveness.
Customer Service
LegalMatch offers excellent customer service, providing assistance throughout the process of finding an attorney. This ensures a smooth, hassle-free experience for users.
Privacy
LegalMatch respects the privacy of its users. Your personal information is kept secure and is not shared without your consent.
Find a Lawyer on LegalMatch Today
In conclusion, while traditional methods like the Yellow Pages or bar referral services still exist, modern platforms like LegalMatch offer a superior method of finding a lawyer. Our platform provides comprehensive information, efficient processes, and reliable matches, making the task of finding the right lawyer a lot more manageable and less time-consuming.
Use LegalMatch to find a lawyer for your case today.
