Lawyer Referral & Information Service
If you need a lawyer in Western New York, call the Bar Association of Erie County’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service at 716.852.3100 or request a referral online. It is a public service of the Bar Association, serving all of Western New York. In 2019, we referred approximately 13,000 calls.
About the LRIS
Bar Association-sponsored lawyer referral services have been in operation in this country for more than fifty years, and were first established in response to requests by people for assistance in obtaining appropriate legal counsel.
The Lawyer Referral and Information Service of the Bar Association of Erie County is designed to assist persons who are able to pay normal attorney fees but whose ability to locate appropriate legal representation is frustrated by a lack of experience with the legal system, a lack of information about the type of service needed, or a fear of the potential costs of seeing a lawyer.
LRIS offers two important services to the public:
- Help 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.
- Provide the client with an unbiased referral to an attorney who has experience in the area of law appropriate to the client’s need.
How It Works
By calling the LRIS, you will speak with a staff member who is experienced in analyzing potential legal problems like yours. If you submit a request online, we will respond as quickly as possible. LRIS staff members are not lawyers and, therefore, cannot give legal advice. However, they are very experienced in determining whether your situation requires the services of a lawyer or if another type of assistance better suits your needs.
If a lawyer’s help is needed, you will be given the name and telephone number of a licensed, insured, and experienced lawyer who can help you. The type of legal issue you have, along with your geographic location, will be taken into consideration so that the most appropriate and convenient referral is made.
The lawyer will charge a $20 consultation fee for the first 30-minute phone consultation or in-office meeting.
Our LRIS staff members are available between 8am and 4pm Monday – Friday, excluding federal holidays. All communication is held in the strictest confidence. You are under no obligation to retain the attorney to whom you are referred.
If you are an attorney and would like to join the LRIS, please below to download and fill out the application. Email applications to Celeste Walsh by clicking here.
