About the LRIS (Lawyer Referral and Information Services)
The Lawyer Referral and Information Service is a non-profit community service program sponsored by the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association and certified by State Bar of California. Established in 2002, LRIS was created with several goals in mind: to help you find an attorney that specifically matches your legal need or problem; to help you determine if alternative resources are appropriate; to provide you with direction when a legal matter appears confusing, intimidating or time consuming.
How can the LRIS help me?
About the Lawyer Referral and Information Service
OUR MISSION: To provide individuals and businesses a referral to an experienced, qualified attorney. If an attorney is not appropriate to your situation, we will refer you to a local agency or resource that may help with your legal matter.
OUR ASSURANCE: Confidentiality. To protect your privacy, we will only discuss the information about your legal issue to the extent necessary to make a referral.
OUR GUARANTEE: All attorneys in our service are in good standing with the State Bar of California, carry malpractice insurance, and meet experience requirements set forth by LRIS Rules.
OUR GOAL: To point you in the right direction for all your legal needs.
How does LRIS work?
We start with a confidential phone interview. Principally, the interview consists of a number of questions to help determine the type of assistance you need – an attorney, a local agency or a legal resource to help you find legal information.
If an attorney is determined as the best course of action for your situation, further essential information will be needed such as parties involved, relevant dates, upcoming court appearances, assigned case number, etc. This information not only helps expedite the search for an attorney, but will maximize your initial appointment with the attorney.
Once an appointment has been confirmed, LRIS will complete the referral to an attorney in our service who has cleared a conflict check, who is aware of your legal situation, and who has expertise specific to your legal need. The appointment may occur in person or by phone.
Please note our service does not provide legal advice. We are here to help guide you in the right direction.
What does it cost?
You pay only the administrative fee of $50.00 (fees are waived for Personal Injury, Worker’s Compensation, Criminal Law cases). Any additional legal fees beyond the initial 30 minute appointment will need to be discussed with the attorney.
Please refer to our FAQ’s below for further information on “How to work with my attorney.”
FAQ’s
How do I work with my attorney?
See the State Bar of California’s guide to working with an attorney.
What is LRIS?
The Lawyer Referral and Information Service is a non-profit organization sponsored by the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association. Our goal is to help SLO County residents and businesses find a reliable and qualified attorney to help them with their specific legal issue. LRIS cannot provide legal advice.
Is there a cost to use the LRIS?
If referred to an attorney, a $50.00 administrative fee is applied. Credit card payment is preferred. Fees are waived for Personal Injury, Criminal and Malpractice cases.
What is the referral process?
Calls to LRIS are answered by an experienced coordinator who will ask you for a brief summary of your legal issue. If appropriate, you will be referred to an attorney who specializes in the area of law you need. Once referred to an attorney, you will meet for a brief consultation at which time you and the attorney will determine the level of service to be provided by the firm.
What Qualifications Do The Referral Attorneys Have?
- Must have required experience; varies depending on area of law.
- Continually screened for up-to-date experience.
- Must be in good standing with the State Bar.
- Required to carry professional liability insurance.
What should I bring to the appointment?
Once you are referred to an attorney, it is helpful to bring items such as a brief summary, copies of any police, accident, or doctor reports, any relevant bills or insurance claims, list of important dates, contact information of all parties involved in the case.
How will I know if the attorney is right for me?
Given the importance of the work you are asking the lawyer to perform, you should select a lawyer in whom you have complete confidence. Consider asking about how the case will be handled, the experience the attorney has had in similar cases, what fee agreement is possible, including type of fee, expenses, frequency of billing and payment terms.
Alternative Resources:
Many times, your legal questions may be answered by consulting with various community services and not need an attorney referral. LRIS is here to provide you with contact information for these alternative resources.
Areas of Law
At the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association, we continue to embody the
high standards of legal justice and administration through our Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS). All of our attorneys are pre-screened and are highly qualified in their respective fields.
For more information regarding a specific practice area, please select from the following list:
If you do not see the practice area pertaining to your legal matter, please do not hesitate to contact us. We have qualified attorneys in many areas of the law.
Contact us
If you are unsure if you need an attorney, contact us so we can discuss your legal matter and possible options. Call LRIS, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at (805) 541-5502.
The LRIS (State Bar of California Certification #0121) is a non-profit public service of the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association.
