FAQs
WHAT IS THE LAWYER REFERRAL AND INFORMATION SERVICE?
The Nashville Bar Association Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) is a non-profit public service established over 25 years ago. NBA LRIS refers about 6,000 callers to Nashville area attorneys and appropriate agencies each year. The program was designed to assist persons who are able to pay normal attorney fees but whose ability to locate legal representation is frustrated by a lack of experience with the legal system, a lack of information about the type of services needed, or a fear of the potential costs of seeing a lawyer.
The Lawyer Referral Service offers three important services to the public:
- It helps the client determine if the problem is truly of a legal nature by screening inquiries and referring the client to other service agencies when appropriate;
- It provides the client with an unbiased referral to an attorney who has experience in the area of law appropriate to the client’s needs.
The Lawyer Referral Service has been given the American Bar Association "seal of approval" by following the ABA model rules for the operation of public service lawyer referral programs.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
After screening your call to determine what type of legal help you need, LRIS will refer you to an attorney that practices in that area of law or to a community service agency that might be able to assist you. Referrals are based on the type of help you need. All information received is strictly confidential.
LRIS does not provide free legal services.
Telephone referrals will be made from 8:00 a.m.— 4:00 p.m. and web access referrals are available on this website 24 hours a day. If you are confused about what type of lawyer you need, our friendly staff will assist. LRIS staff will ask a series of questions in order to determine your needs.
LRIS staff cannot give legal advice. You will be given the name and number of an attorney or given the name and number of another company or agency that may help.
IS THERE A FEE FOR CONTACTING LRS?
There is no referral fee for the following types of matters:
- Personal Injury
- Medical Malpractice
- Workers’ Compensation
- Victim Compensation
- Social Security Disability
For all other matters there is a $40 referral fee. This may be paid by debit or credit card over the phone or you may send a money order to:
Lawyer Referral and Information Service
C/O Nashville Bar Association
315 Union Street, Suite 800
Nashville, TN 37201
Be sure to include the following information with your money order:
Name
Address
Telephone Number
Email Address is optional but in most cases allows the staff to provide a more timely response to your request.
Lawyers will charge for their services if you decide to hire the attorney.
WILL THE ATTORNEY CHARGE A FEE?
After the first consultation, you are subject to the attorney’s hourly rates so be certain to discuss attorneys’ fees.
WHAT IF I NEED LEGAL HELP AFTER THE INITIAL THIRTY MINUTES?
If you need further legal services, there will be additional attorney’s fees that you and your attorney will agree upon before you proceed. Be sure to ask for a fee agreement in writing if you wish to continue legal services.
DO YOU PROVIDE A LIST OF ATTORNEYS?
No. We generally make one referral at a time. You should make sure you feel comfortable with that attorney, both personally and financially, before hiring him or her. If that attorney does not work out for you, you may contact the referral service for an additional referral.
We cannot make a referrals based on age, gender, race, or religion.
CAN YOU RECOMMEND AN ATTORNEY?
We cannot indicate our personal preferences.
All the attorneys on our panel go through a yearly screening process, are active members in good standing with the Board of Professional Responsibility, and are members of the Nashville Bar Association.
HOW CAN I SUBMIT A REQUEST ONLINE?
Submit your lawyer referral inquiry online here.
WHAT IF I NEED A LAWYER IN ANOTHER STATE?
Looking for a lawyer in another city or state? To try a national Lawyer Referral Service search, click here.
Dial - A - Lawyer Program
The NBA LRIS conducts a public Dial-A-Lawyer program on the first Tuesday of each month, between 6pm and 8pm. Volunteer attorneys from the Nashville Bar Association answer your general legal questions.
The following are the Dial-A-Lawyer dates for 2010:
February 2, 2010
March 2, 2010
April 6, 2010
May 4, 2010
June 1, 2010
July 6, 2010
August 3, 2010
September 7, 2010
October 5, 2010
November 2, 2010
December 7, 2010
To reach an attorney on any of the above dates (6 - 8 pm only) please call 615-242-9272.
