KBA’S Lawyer Referral Service Generates $1.2 Million for
Participating Attorneys
The KBA’s Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) has become a convenience for people who need a lawyer, but do not know how to locate one. Throughout the past year, the LRS answered an average of 1,390 calls each month and made more than 4,900 referrals. Last year, these referrals generated more than $1.2 million in client fees for lawyers who participated in the program.
When LRS personnel answer incoming calls, they screen the inquiries to determine whether the caller needs to hire a lawyer or simply needs legal advice. Callers needing to hire a lawyer are then referred to an LRS lawyer in their area.
Lawyer Referral Service staff refer clients in a variety of areas of law. The most common referrals are made in the areas of divorce, medical malpractice, and contested custody. The LRS receives its clients from a variety of sources including yellow page advertisements in telephone books, Kansas Legal Services, the courts, and other attorneys.
Any lawyer who is in good standing with the Kansas Supreme Court may qualify as a member of the LRS. LRS attorneys must meet the following requirements:
- LRS attorneys must grant a consultation as soon as practicable after the request is made.
- LRS attorneys must agree upon any charges for further service with the client, in keeping with the objectives of the LRS and the client’s ability to pay.
- LRS attorneys must keep their professional liability insurance in force during their association with the LRS.
- When a fee from an LRS client amounts to $300 or more, the LRS attorney must remit 10 percent of that fee to the LRS.
- LRS attorneys must refer any clients not accepted back to the LRS.
- LRS attorneys must submit status reports to the LRS within 30 days of referral.
- LRS attorneys who are Kansas Bar Association members must pay the LRS an annual registration fee of $100.
- LRS attorneys must pay an additional $100 annual registration fee to receive bankruptcy referrals in lieu of paying a percentage of fees on bankruptcy cases to the LRS.
If you would like more information about the KBA’s Lawyer Referral Service or would like an application for the program, please contact the Kansas Bar Association at (785) 234-5696 or click here for a PDF application or join online today.
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