The need for legal help in our community is so great, the Lawyer Referral Service and its lawyer volunteers assist by offering several programs for those who may not be able to afford full legal fees but also may not qualify for free Legal Aid programs. These programs offer LRS member lawyers a way to provide access to justice for modest means clients. The programs are outlined below.
LegalLine Call-In Program
On the first Tuesday of every month from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, LRS hosts LegalLine — a brief legal advice call-in program. The program is open to anyone who has a brief legal question and who may not know what next steps to take. The purpose of LegalLine is to quickly answer simple questions and give brief advice to those who may not need to hire a lawyer. This project qualifies for pro bono credit for the lawyer volunteers.
How does it work? As a volunteer, you pick the evening you want to participate. You will be one of six or seven lawyers answering phones in the LRS offices. If you talk to a caller who may benefit from more substantive advice or is willing to hire you, LRS will make the referral to you. Local businesses support the program by donating a light dinner for volunteers. Please support local business who have graciously donated to the LegalLine program!
- Austin’s Pizza
- Thundercloud Subs
- Arpeggio Grill
- Chili’s
- Amaya’s Taco Village
- Tacodeli
Reduced Fee Program for Veterans
To honor and support our veterans, the Lawyer Referral Service will identify veterans who qualify for a discount on legal matters in all areas of the law. If you wish to participate in this program, LRS will waive the $20 fee for the initial consultation (up to 30 minutes). You will agree to discount your legal fees up to 20%.
Modest Means Program (formerly the “Match Program”)
The Lawyer Referral Service offers this reduced fee program for family law issues, drafting simple wills, and providing representation for simple guardianships. This Modest Means Program helps those who need legal help to those who may not qualify for Legal Aid but who cannot afford full legal fees.
LRS staff screens all inquiries to this program to insure callers income-qualify. LRS will provide you the results of our screening and you are encouraged to continue the screening process. LRS will provide you with the income guidelines, which are at 200 to 250% of the poverty guideline.
Brown Bag Presentations
As part of our outreach to the community, LRS operates a speaker’s bureau. We go to workplaces, libraries, or churches to inform the community about the value of consulting a lawyer. Our most requested topics are Wills and Estate Planning, Buying and Selling a Home, and Business Formation. As LRS receives requests, our staff will contact you to see if you are available for a specific date and time. This program offers you community exposure while you promote the benefits of using the Lawyer Referral Service.
Lawyer of the Day (LOD) for Criminal Law Issues
Criminal law attorney volunteers take after-hours phone calls from those seeking emergency assistance. LRS will assign you a day (may include partial weekdays or holidays). If you cannot assist with LOD on your assigned day, simply tell us so that we can reschedule you. When people call LRS after hours, they receive a message giving your contact information. Callers then choose the phone option that will directly connect them to your contact phone number. These contacts will be tracked the same as other referrals. You will receive an intake sheet on your assigned day that you return to LRS after completing the LOD assignment.
Need More Info?
If you have any questions about our access to justice programming, just contact our office.
