Frequently Asked Questions

How does the New York City Bar Legal Referral Service work?

When you contact the New York City Bar Legal Referral Service (LRS), you’ll speak with one of our trained referral counselors who will help match you with an appropriate lawyer for your legal issue. Here is what happens during the process:

Our referral counselors ask questions about your legal situation to understand your needs and determine the right type of lawyer for your case.  All information you share is kept confidential to the fullest extent allowed by law. Based on your legal issue, location, and specific circumstances, we match you with a qualified lawyer from our network of vetted and experienced lawyers.

If our referral counselor determines that a referral to a lawyer is appropriate for your situation, you’ll receive the name, contact information, and location of a lawyer who can help. We’ll send you a confirmation email with the lawyer’s details so you can schedule an initial consultation. You should contact the attorney promptly to set up your appointment.

In some situations, hiring a lawyer may not be necessary, cost-effective, or possible. For example, you might need an attorney licensed in another state, or your issue might be better resolved through other means. If we cannot provide an appropriate lawyer, our counselors will do their best to suggest alternative options to help you address your legal concern.

How does LRS screen and vet attorneys in the LRS network?

Every attorney participating in the New York City Bar Legal Referral Service goes through a thorough vetting process to ensure you’re connected with a qualified, experienced legal professional.

Our screening process includes verification of each attorney’s New York State bar admission and good standing, review of their professional experience and practice areas, and confirmation of malpractice insurance coverage. We only accept attorneys who demonstrate competence in their specific practice areas and maintain ethical standards consistent with the legal profession.

Attorneys must apply to join the LRS and demonstrate that they meet our eligibility requirements. This screening process ensures that when you receive a referral from the LRS, you’re being connected with a qualified attorney who is properly licensed to practice law in New York.

Our network includes attorneys across 150+ practice areas—from family law and real estate, to business litigation and immigration.

How much will the LRS cost?

There is no charge for speaking with an LRS referral counselor or receiving a referral to a participating LRS attorney. If you schedule and receive a consultation with one of our attorneys, the consultation costs $35. There are a few select areas of law, however, where the consultation fee may be waived, depending on your type of legal case.

Your initial consultation with the referred attorney lasts up to 30 minutes at a significantly discounted rate ($35). Before we refer you to an attorney, you’ll need to provide credit or debit card information to pay the $35 initial consultation fee. Your card is preauthorized for $35 at the time that we process the referral – which you may see as a pending charge on your credit/debit card account. The LRS will not charge the $35 fee until we receive confirmation from you or the lawyer that you had an initial consultation. If no consultation took place, we release the preauthorization, and the pending charge will disappear from your account in 3-5 business days.

Clients often find the initial consultation provides all the guidance they need to resolve their legal issue. If you need additional legal services beyond the consultation, it is up to you to decide whether to hire the attorney. Before the lawyer performs additional work, you and the attorney must agree on the work to be done and the fees to be paid for those services.

How do lawyers in New York bill for legal services?

New York attorneys often use different billing methods depending on the type of legal case. We strongly recommend signing a written fee agreement, called a Retainer Agreement, with any lawyer you hire. This document specifies what legal services the attorney will provide, and the terms of payment, such as how much and when you are expected to pay the lawyer. In New York, written agreements are required in matrimonial and contingency-fee cases.

Hourly billing for legal services

Many New York lawyers charge by the hour for their time. This is common for business matters, family law, and many civil disputes. When you hire an attorney, you usually pay a retainer fee (a deposit) upfront. The lawyer should provide you with an estimate of the process and approximate costs at different stages, though they may not be able to predict the total cost for complex matters.  You may also be responsible for disbursements, such as court filing fees, court reporters’ fees, copies, travel expenses, or other case-related expenses.

Contingency fee arrangements

For certain types of cases, New York attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless the lawyer wins your case or reaches a settlement. This is common in personal injury, malpractice, collections, and some employment matters. You may still be responsible for certain expenses (such as expert witness fees or court costs), depending on the agreement.

Flat fee legal services

Some attorneys charge a single flat fee to handle specific legal matters, regardless of how many hours it takes to complete the legal matter. Real estate closings, uncontested divorces, and simple bankruptcy cases often use this approach.

Combined fee structures

Some lawyers combine multiple billing approaches for a particular case. It’s essential to clearly understand your fee arrangement before agreeing to hire any attorney. If you do not understand the Retainer Agreement, fee arrangement, or payment terms, ask the lawyer to explain the agreement to you before you sign the agreement and hire the lawyer.

What are my rights and responsibilities as a client?

Below is a summary of the Statement of Client’s Rights and Responsibilities, adopted by the New York Administrative Board of the Courts. These rights explain what you are entitled to when working with any New York lawyer; the responsibilities outline what a lawyer needs from you in order to effectively represent you.

Client Rights

You are entitled to:
• Courtesy and consideration from your lawyer and their staff
• Competent, diligent representation
• Your lawyer’s independent professional judgment and loyalty
• A reasonable fee and a clear explanation of how fees and billing work
• Prompt answers to your questions and timely returned calls
• Updates on your matter and copies of important papers
• Enough information to meaningfully participate in decisions
• Respect for your objectives, including decisions about settlement
• Privacy and confidentiality as allowed by law
• Ethical behavior consistent with the Code of Professional Responsibility
• Freedom from discrimination in legal representation

Client Responsibilities

To help your lawyer represent you effectively:

  • Treat your lawyer and their staff with courtesy
  • Be honest and provide all relevant information, even if it seems unfavorable
  • Honor the agreed-upon fee arrangement
  • Pay bills promptly
  • To the extent required by law, honor agreed upon financial commitments after discharging your lawyer or termination of the attorney-client relationship.
  • Recognize that your lawyer has other clients, and allow reasonable time for responses
  • Keep your contact information updated and respond promptly to requests
  • Understand that a lawyer cannot pursue goals that are unlawful or unethicalUnderstand that a lawyer may decline a case due to conflicts, workload, or lack of merit

How do I get started with NYC Bar Legal Referral Service?

If you need legal help in New York City, contact the NYC Bar Legal Referral Service by submitting an online referral request at any time or call us during our regular business hours. Have your credit or debit card ready when you call, as you’ll need to provide payment information for the initial consultation fee (in most matters). Our referral counselors are ready to help match you with qualified New York attorneys across a wide range of practice areas including family law, real estate, business matters, personal injury, immigration, employment law, and many more.

Whether you’re dealing with a landlord-tenant dispute in Manhattan, need estate planning guidance in Brooklyn, are facing a business law question in Queens, or need help with any other legal issue in New York City, our Legal Referral Service can connect you with vetted and experienced attorneys who can help.