State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service helps to find clients

A lot of people need lawyers, but for many, finding the right one can be simultaneously confusing and overwhelming. Where to start? Where to look? What area of law am I really looking for anyway?

The State Bar of Michigan has been helping people answer those questions since 1971 with the Lawyer Referral Service, a program that helps people get the assistance they need and helps attorneys interested in adding new clients.

The problem: There are far more potential clients than panel attorneys can serve.

In the 2023 fiscal year, more than 2,600 clients who reached out to the Lawyer Referral Service could not be matched with an attorney.

The State Bar of Michigan is actively recruiting attorneys statewide in all practice areas to be Lawyer Referral Service panel members. The base registration fee for panel members is $150 annually and includes four practice areas and two judicial circuit designations.

Becoming a panel member is easy and takes just three steps:?

• Sign up at michbar.org/lrs.?
• Complete your profile by identifying your practice areas and judicial circuits.?
• Check online or your email for referrals.?

For additional information, visit the State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service at michbar.org/lrs or contact Panel Coordinator Monique Smith at 517-346-6323 or msmith@michbar.org.