Although you should never blindly believe what you read, newspapers, telephone directories, radio and television ads and direct mail can all provide useful resources when it comes to finding suitable attorneys for your case. Many ads also help identify which areas of law the lawyers specialize in.
Meet with potential attorneys to assess which are most suitable for your case. Learn their billing system and whether fees can be negotiated.
Personal Referrals
Personal contacts can be the best source of referrals. Building trusting relationships with both clients and professional referral sources is key to creating a sustainable client base, and consistent communication and commitment to providing exceptional legal experiences are ways of doing this.
Social media can also provide an ideal forum to showcase case successes with a wider audience and establish trust between clientele and yourself, but always remember the rules regarding client confidentiality must be upheld.
Establishing relationships with lawyers who specialize in practice areas that complement yours is another effective strategy to build your referral network and ensure clients find attorneys best suited to meet their needs. However, be mindful of ABA Model Rule 1.5.1 which regulates fee-sharing arrangements among attorneys; ensure any such agreement adheres to strict guidelines or it may violate ethical principles and cause ethical violations.
Referral Services
Community agencies do not typically possess the expertise to answer legal queries and refer clients to services that suit them, however they can still be helpful in directing people toward appropriate attorneys or services they require. They usually provide lists of solicitors, community legal centres and other organizations which offer legal assistance that are counted separately as referral services (although in practice this might include merging into one service).
They can help people assess whether their issue can be handled without needing legal representation by local courts, community mediation programs, rent control boards or another organization. Furthermore, they may refer people to lawyers insured for professional liability.
Referrals can either be recorded as Simple Referrals or Facilitated Referrals. A Simple Referral involves providing contact details of an individual or organisation and leaving it up to the client to reach them directly; while Facilitated Referrals involve taking care in helping clients access services – for instance contacting pro bono solicitors directly on behalf of clients.
Online Resources
Online resources consist of websites, databases, e-books and other digital materials accessible via computer devices with Internet connections. Access may be free or require payment; for instance, the American Bar Association provides Free Legal Answers as a pro bono service that matches questions submitted by people with low incomes with volunteer lawyers who will provide answers free of charge. Some state courts even have self-help centers to help with court appearances or filing deadlines.
