Glossary
Lawyer referral service
A service, often run by a state or local bar association, that listens to a caller's problem and refers them to a lawyer on its panel who handles that kind of case.
General information, not legal advice. Talk to a licensed attorney in your state.
Quick answer
A lawyer referral service listens to your problem and refers you to a lawyer on its panel who handles that kind of case. Many are run by state or local bar associations, and the first consultation is often low cost.
In a car accident claim#
After a crash, a referral service can point you to a lawyer who handles injury or property damage claims in your area. Fees vary by service. Through the State Bar of Texas service, for example, the first consultation lasts up to 30 minutes and costs no more than $20. Any fee after that is set in a Fee agreement. The written contract that hires a lawyer. It says what work the lawyer will do, how the fee is worked out and who pays the costs of the case. Glossary with the lawyer, often a Contingency fee. A lawyer's fee paid as a share of what you recover. If there is no recovery, there is usually no fee. Glossary in injury cases.
According to the American Bar Association, programs it approves require and verify that every panel lawyer carries malpractice insurance and set objective experience requirements for the lawyers on their panels. Not every website that "matches" you with a lawyer is a referral service; some are advertising businesses paid by lawyers. Our guide to lawyer referral services explains the difference, and you can check a lawyer's license before you meet.
Example#
Related terms#
Questions people ask
Is a lawyer referral service free?
Not always. Many charge a small fee for the referral or the first consultation. The lawyer's fee after that is agreed with the lawyer, not the service.
Is a lawyer referral service the same as a lawyer directory?
No. A referral service screens your problem and matches you with a panel lawyer who meets its requirements. A directory or advertising site lists lawyers who choose or pay to appear.
Sources
- American Bar Association, Lawyer Referral and Information Service Approved Programs — standards for approved programs
- State Bar of Texas, Lawyer Referral & Information Service — as of October 2026
Last reviewed October 29, 2026 by the Accident Claim Facts editorial team. Found an error? Tell us.
Keep reading
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- GlossaryLegal malpracticeA lawyer's failure to use the skill and care a reasonable lawyer would use, causing the client a loss, such as missing a filing deadline.
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