Types of Law Information Guide

This is a body of law that deals with government rule-making agencies. The most common request include:

• Problems with professional licensing agencies (nursing or doctors licensing for example)
• Violations of state regulations (such as illegal dumping or pollution)
• Social Security Disability disputes (denial of applications)
• Disability and retirement issues for teachers and state employees
• Land use and zoning issues
• School law (focus on students’ rights)

LRS takes referrals from anywhere in Texas because these cases are typically heard in special administrative courts located in Austin.

Lawyer Referral Service lawyers are prescreened, insured, and average at least 10 years of experience practicing law. When you contact us, we explain how our service works. Learn More

Call us at (512) 472-8303 or toll free at (866) 303-8303, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, CST

We can help you find a qualified, experienced bankruptcy attorney for issues in the Western District of Texas. Our trained staff will give you the personalized attention you need to find the right lawyer for your legal matter.

This type of law deals with the individuals or entities who have problems paying debts to creditors. Bankruptcy cases are governed by federal courts. The most common request for assistance come from individuals who cannot pay their bills most often due to loss of job or high medical bills. There are several options available to those seeking to file bankruptcy including a dismissal of debt or restructuring of debt.

LRS takes referrals in these counties in the Western District in Texas:

• Bastrop
• Blanco
• Burleson
• Burnet
• Caldwell
• Gillespie
• Hays
• Kimble
• Lampasas
• Lee
• Llano
• Mason
• McCulloch
• San Saba
• Travis
• Washington
• Williamson

Lawyer Referral Service lawyers are prescreened, insured, and average at least 10 years of experience practicing law. When you contact us, we explain how our service works. Learn More

Call us at (512) 472-8303 or toll free at (866) 303-8303, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, CST

We can help you find a qualified, experienced business law attorney for issues in the Austin area. Our trained staff will give you the personalized attention you need to find the right lawyer for your legal matter. This type of civil law, also known as commercial law, deals with the rights of those engaged in commerce and sales. This type of law includes:

• Business collections (business to business transactions)
• Business formation and dissolution
• Business litigation
• Contracts (drafting and reviewing)
• Nonprofit formation
• Partnerships

Lawyer Referral Service lawyers are prescreened, insured, and average at least 10 years of experience practicing law. When you contact us, we explain how our service works. Learn More

Call us at (512) 472-8303 or toll free at (866) 303-8303, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, CSTWe can help you find a qualified, experienced appeals lawyer for issues. Our trained staff will give you the personalized attention you need to find the right lawyer for your legal matter.

An appeal is when a higher court is asked to review a lower court decision. It is not a new trial but only a review of whether a legal or procedural mistake was made and if that mistake might change the outcome or final decision. An appeal is only a review of the original trial. Appeals involve paperwork, deadlines, and the possibility of paying court costs of the other side.

LRS receives very few requests for appeals.

Justice Court appeal (formerly called small claims court) is different than Civil Appeals discussed above. If you appeal from a justice court, you will get a new trial in county court. An appeal bond must be filed with the court within 10 days of the justice court decision. You will be able to present your entire case again. You may need a lawyer at this stage because rules of court will apply that did not apply in justice court.

Lawyer Referral Service lawyers are prescreened, insured, and average at least 10 years of experience practicing law. When you contact us, we explain how our service works.

Call us at (512) 472-8303 or toll free at (866) 303-8303, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, CST

We can help you find a qualified, experienced civil rights lawyer for your legal issues. Our trained staff will give you the personalized attention you need to find the right lawyer for your legal matter. Civil rights deals with your right to be treated equally and fairly under the federal and state constitutions, including civil rights and discrimination law. Civil rights laws include:

• Discrimination (Age, National Origin, Sex, Color, and Religion)
• Equal pay
• Fair housing
• Freedom of speech
• Employment discrimination and more

Lawyer Referral Service lawyers are prescreened, insured, and average at least 10 years of experience practicing law. When you contact us, we explain how our service works.

Call us at (512) 472-8303 or toll free at (866) 303-8303, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, CST

We can help you find a qualified, experienced consumer law lawyer for your legal issues. Our trained staff will give you the personalized attention you need to find the right lawyer for your legal matter.

This area deals with your rights as a consumer or purchaser of goods and services and problems that may arise after the purchase. In other words, if you purchase an item, you should be able to trust that the item you bought is safe and will perform as promised. If you owe a debt, you have a right not to be harassed by a debt collector. Here are some of the consumer issues we assist with:

• Auto repair problems
• Car dealership disputes
• Credit card problems
• Defective and dangerous products
• Home improvement issues
• Misrepresentation of good sold
• Student loans
• Unfair debt collection

Lawyer Referral Service lawyers are prescreened, insured, and average at least 10 years of experience practicing law. When you contact us, we explain how our service works. Learn More.

Call us at (512) 472-8303 or toll free at (866) 303-8303, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, CST

We can help you find a qualified, experienced criminal law attorney for your legal issues. Our trained staff will give you the personalized attention you need to find the right lawyer for your legal matter.

Criminal law attorneys defend their clients who have been arrested and accused of a crime. This area also includes criminal trials and appeals, and working with juveniles. If you are under investigation, call us BEFORE you speak to law enforcement.

Includes:

• DWI or DUI
• Possession of controlled substances
• Assault
• Driver’s license suspensions
• Expunctions and Non-Disclosures
• Felonies, including federal offenses
• Jail releases
• Juvenile defense
• Misdemeanors

Lawyer Referral Service lawyers are prescreened, insured, and average at least 10 years of experience practicing law. When you contact us, we explain how our service works. Learn More.

Call us at (512) 472-8303 or toll free at (866) 303-8303, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, CST

We can help you find a qualified, experienced employment law attorney for your legal issues. Our trained staff will give you the personalized attention you need to find the right lawyer for your legal matter.

Employment law, also known as labor law, are the laws governing the relations between employers and employees including:

• Creating and reviewing employment contracts
• Employment discrimination
• Family Medical Leave Act claims (FMLA)
• Separation or severance agreement reviews
• Sexual harassment
• Wage and Hour claims

Texas is an “at will” employment state. Employees without a written contract may be fired for any reason, or no reason, with or without warning. Likewise, employees may leave a job without notice.

There are some exceptions to the “at will” rule when your job may be protected, including:

• When you’ve filed a discrimination complaint
• Filed a worker’s compensation claim
• When you’ve been called for jury duty
• When you have refused to perform an illegal act, or
• After you have reported an illegal act.

Lawyer Referral Service lawyers are prescreened, insured, and average at least 10 years of experience practicing law. When you contact us, we explain how our service works. Learn More.

Call us at (512) 472-8303 or toll free at (866) 303-8303, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, CST

We can help you find a qualified, experienced entertainment law attorney for your legal issues. Our trained staff will give you the personalized attention you need to find the right lawyer for your legal matter.

The branch of law dealing with aspects of the entertainment industry (film, television, music recording, publishing, and sports). Our lawyers assist creative artists achieve their business objects. This area overlaps with referrals to lawyers who assist with intellectual property issues.

The issues deal with:

• Contracts
• Intellectual property (trademark, copyright, patents)
• Licensing

Lawyer Referral Service lawyers are prescreened, insured, and average at least 10 years of experience practicing law. When you contact us, we explain how our service works. Learn More.

Call us at (512) 472-8303 or toll free at (866) 303-8303, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, CST

We can help you find a qualified, experienced estate planning or probate law attorney for your legal issues. Our trained staff will give you the personalized attention you need to find the right lawyer for your legal matter.

The laws dealing with protecting your property and assets (real estate, personal property, bank accounts, life insurance policies, etc.) at death. Planning allows you to identify family members and others you wish to receive your property. We can refer to a lawyer for the following:

• Creating a will (usually a will includes powers of attorney and directives to physician)
• Elder law (adult protective services, Medicare benefits, nursing home planning assistance)
• Lawsuit involving fiduciary (problems involving a trustee or executor)
• Powers of attorney
• Probate (reviewing a will after death)
• Specialty Trusts (special needs trusts, gun trusts, pet trusts, same sex planning)

Lawyer Referral Service lawyers are prescreened, insured, and average at least 10 years of experience practicing law. When you contact us, we explain how our service works.

Call us at (512) 472-8303 or toll free at (866) 303-8303, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, CST

We can help you find a qualified, experienced family law attorney for your legal issues. Our trained staff will give you the personalized attention you need to find the right lawyer for your legal matter.

LRS receives more inquiries in this area than any other. Family law deals with family related matters or domestic relations issues. We help find lawyers in these areas:

• Adoptions
• Child Protective Services issues (CPS)
• Divorces (contested is when a couple does not agree on the division of property or custody; uncontested is couples agree)
• Enforcement (when one of the parties fails to carry out their part of the court order or agreement)
• Grandparent access
• Military divorce
• Modification (when one or both parties want to change the terms of the divorce)
• Name Change
• Paternity
• Protective Orders

There are resources available for those who need free (pro bono), reduced fee, or self-help assistance. We will help you make the best decision about available resources.

Collaborative family law is a method where the couple agrees to work out divorce details by agreement thereby avoiding going to court.

Limited Scope is a method where a person represents themselves (pro se) with limited assistance from a lawyer. Click here for more information.

The Match Program is a reduced fee program for those who cannot afford full fee lawyers but do not qualify for legal aid free services. Click here for more information.

Free legal clinics are offered twice a week in Austin for those seeking legal advice. If you qualify, you may receive free assistance. Click here for more information.

Lawyer Referral Service lawyers are prescreened, insured, and average at least 10 years of experience practicing law. When you contact us, we explain how our service works. Learn More.

Call us at (512) 472-8303 or toll free at (866) 303-8303, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, CST

We can help you find a qualified, experienced immigration law attorney for your legal issues. Our trained staff will give you the personalized attention you need to find the right lawyer for your legal matter.

This a complicated area of the law concerning applications for citizenship, visas, and matters such as political asylum. We refer to attorneys for:

• Temporary protected status (TPS)
• Green Cards
• VAWA (Violent Against Women Act)
• Visas
• Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
• Deferred Action for Parents of Americans or Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA)
• Naturalization and Citizenship
• Deportation defense

Be careful of non-lawyers offering immigration assistance. Immigration laws are very complicated and mistakes may delay you or prevent you entering or staying in the U.S.

Lawyer Referral Service lawyers are prescreened, insured, and average at least 10 years of experience practicing law. When you contact us, we explain how our service works. Learn More.

Call us at (512) 472-8303 or toll free at (866) 303-8303, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, CST

We can help you find a qualified, experienced insurance law attorney for your legal issues. Our trained staff will give you the personalized attention you need to find the right lawyer for your legal matter.

The law concerning the interpretation and enforcement of insurance issues for public employees and private insurance policies including:

• Insurance bad faith and coverage claims
• Health insurance
• Homeowners and rental insurance
• Auto insurance
• Life insurance
• Long term disability (ERISA)
• Texas Employees Retirement System (ERS)
• Social Security Disability benefits

Lawyer Referral Service lawyers are prescreened, insured, and average at least 10 years of experience practicing law. When you contact us, we explain how our service works. Learn More.

Call us at (512) 472-8303 or toll free at (866) 303-8303, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, CST.

We can help you find a qualified, experienced intellectual property law attorney for your legal issues. Our trained staff will give you the personalized attention you need to find the right lawyer for your legal matter.

The law concerning the creation and protection of intellectual property rights including trademark, patents, and copyright issues for:

• Musicians
• Artists
• Authors
• Advertisers

Generally, copyright protects authorship of literary works (poetry, novels, songs), dramatic works (movies, plays), and website content. Patents protect inventions. Trademark protect symbols, logos, and words or phrases.

Some of these issues will overlap with entertainment law.

Lawyer Referral Service lawyers are prescreened, insured, and average at least 10 years of experience practicing law. When you contact us, we explain how our service works. Learn More.

Call us at (512) 472-8303 or toll free at (866) 303-8303, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, CST

We can help you find a qualified, experienced personal injury lawyer for your legal issues. Our trained staff will give you the personalized attention you need to find the right lawyer for your legal matter. Consultations are FREE!

If you have been injured in an accident or as a result of someone else’s negligence, including claims for personal injury, death of a loved one, and related property claims, you may be able to make a claim for monetary damages. The Austin Lawyer Referral Service will help those who have been injured by medical negligence, automobile accidents, construction site accidents, truck accidents, defective products, and legal malpractice, throughout the state of Texas.

• Car wrecks
• Dog bite injuries
• Malpractice: (injury caused by a professional (doctor, lawyer, dentist)
• Nursing home care or accidents
• Police brutality
• Truck wrecks
• Wrongful death (losing a loved one in a wreck, workplace accident, as a result of an assault or criminal act)
• Birth injuries
• Bicycle accident
• Pedestrian accident

After any kind of accident DO NOT speak to or give a statement to the other person’s insurance company. You may say something that damages your case. Call LRS first.

If you are a defendant and have been sued and served with the lawsuit, don’t ignore the deadlines.

Lawyer Referral Service lawyers are prescreened, insured, and average at least 10 years of experience practicing law. When you contact us, we explain how our service works. The consultation is free for all personal injury matters. Learn More.

Call us at (512) 472-8303 or toll free at(866) 303-8303, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, CST

We can help you find a qualified, experienced real estate lawyer for your legal issues. Our trained staff will give you the personalized attention you need to find the right lawyer for your legal matter.

Real estate law deals with all aspects of real estate including the sale, rental, and development of property, secured claims and liens, and government condemnation. The Austin Referral Service receives requests for help in these areas:

• Claims against builders, sellers, real estate agents (undisclosed home or building defects)
• Conflicts with homeowners or condo associations
• Creating or Reviewing real estate documents for commercial and residential properties
• Landlord/Tenant disputes
• Title issues including boundaries or easements
• Foreclosure defense
• Condemnation and eminent domain

Lawyer Referral Service lawyers are prescreened, insured, and average at least 10 years of experience practicing law. When you contact us, we explain how our service works.

Call us at (512) 472-8303 or toll free at (866) 303-8303, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, CST

We can help you find a qualified, experienced tax lawyer for your legal issues. Our trained staff will give you the personalized attention you need to find the right lawyer for your legal matter. The law concerning the tax obligations of individuals and businesses, tax planning, audits, and litigation in tax court. We also have help for state and local taxing issues.

• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax problems
• Representation during audits
• Appeals
• Protesting and negotiating tax disputes
• State and local taxing
• Local and commercial property tax
• State sales tax

Lawyer Referral Service lawyers are prescreened, insured, and average at least 10 years of experience practicing law. When you contact us, we explain how our service works. Learn More.

Call us at (512) 472-8303 or toll free at (866) 303-8303, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, CST

We can help you find a qualified, experienced worker’s comp lawyer for your legal issues. Our trained staff will give you the personalized attention you need to find the right lawyer for your legal matter. This is a FREE consultation!

If you are injured at work, a Texas regulated insurance program may cover your medical treatment and compensation. Employers can choose whether or not to provide this insurance. If you have been injured on the job, ask your employer if you are covered under their worker’s comp policy. You have a time limit to file a claim. Businesses that have worker’s compensation coverage for their employees are typically protected from workplace injury lawsuits.

If you company does not carry worker’s comp insurance, they are called a non-subscriber. If your company is a non-subscriber, and if the job injury was caused by negligence, you may be able to recover costs of medical and lost wages.

• Our lawyers can help with:
• Wage rate disputes
• Returning to work
• Right to change doctors
• Impairment rating
• Third party claims (hurt on the job by someone other than your employer)

Lawyer Referral Service lawyers are prescreened, insured, and average at least 10 years of experience practicing law. When you contact us, we explain how our service works. The consultation with a lawyer is FREE!