Over the years , I ’ ve gotten many calls through LRIS from prospective clients . I ’ ve had to tell some that , unfortunately , I simply can ’ t help them ( and recommended that they call for a second referral in many cases ), but I ’ ve also been able to accept many cases that have resulted in great outcomes for the clients , benefitting both them and my firm . In Lawyer many cases , Referral these individuals & Information
Services
MEMBERSHIP
The Lawyer Referral and Information Service of the Atlanta Bar Association : Good for Business , Good for the Community
JOHN D . HADDEN Penn Law LLC john @ pennlawgroup . com
REFER CALLS TO
I n late 2007 , I took a leap of faith and started my own law firm . A friend suggested that I join the Atlanta Bar ’ s referral service . I did , and the Atlanta Bar Association Lawyer Referral and Information Service ( LRIS ), to use its formal name , turned out to be one of the foundations of my fledgling firm .
LRIS
Over the years , I ’ ve gotten many calls through LRIS from prospective clients . I ’ ve had to tell some that , unfortunately , I simply can ’ t help them ( and recommended that they call for a second referral in many cases ), but I ’ ve also been able to accept many cases that have resulted in great outcomes for the clients , benefitting both them and my firm . In Lawyer many cases , Referral these individuals & Information
knew no lawyers and may well not have been able to seek legal assistance if not for the LRIS .
Services
Receiving calls about legal issues your firm does not handle ? Refer them to LRIS !
Of course , I am only one of almost 240 lawyer members of the program , so the total number of clients who benefit is much larger than just those who contact my small firm . Even during the 2020- 2021 fiscal year that was dominated by COVID , the LRIS received nearly 50,000 calls , down only slightly from the previous year . Because member attorneys remit a small percentage of their fees to the LRIS , the organization is able to support numerous local charitable legal programs . Since 2009 , the LRIS , in collaboration with the Atlanta Bar Foundation , has contributed more than $ 1.8 million through the Grants Program , which supports groups such as the Atlanta Bar Minority and Diversity Clerkship Program , Atlanta Bar Summer Law Internship Program , Atlanta Legal Aid Society , Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation , Truancy Intervention Project , Georgia Appleseed , Georgia Innocence Project , Georgia
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Justice Project , Gideon ' s Promise , Latin American Association , Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta , and others . This year , the LRIS will contribute more than $ 175,000 to the Grants Program , the third largest contribution since the LRIS was founded . and seen the behind-the-scenes efforts of LRIS leadership and staff to ensure that the program is run smoothly and efficiently . Given the significant volume of calls and internet contacts coming in every day , however , we always welcome new members to the LRIS attorney panel . The LRIS recently moved to a new online platform that significantly simplifies the administrative tasks involved with receiving referrals and , where applicable , remitting fees to the LRIS . Cases are pre-screened by LRIS staff and relayed to member attorneys nearly immediately . The cost of the program is very modest – $ 125 per year for Atlanta Bar members , plus 15 % of fees obtained over $ 500 and a $ 45 consultation fee charged to clients for certain types of cases – less than the monthly cost of many commercial marketing programs . But I can say first-hand that it is a program that benefits our members , prospective clients , and area non-profits . For anyone looking to establish or grow their practice and not already an LRIS member , I encourage you to consider joining . Not only is it a source of business , but it also helps strengthen our legal community .
If you are inclined to join the LRIS Program , please contact Lucia Keller , LRIS Director : lkeller @ atlantabar . org .
PHOTO CREDIT : PEXELS www . atlantabar . org THE ATLANTA LAWYER 58