Joining the New York City Bar Legal Referral Service

Lawyers needed! We will waive your membership fee for the first 12 months if you apply for one or more areas of high need and, if approved, agree to provide services in those areas for at least 12 months. While we welcome applications in all areas of law at all times, there are certain areas of law – not necessarily related to the pandemic – for which we are actively recruiting in order to ensure that we are able to meet the current and future needs of the public. *Our areas of high need are:

Why Become an LRS Lawyer?

By joining the New York City Bar Legal Referral Service (LRS), you –

• Help serve the hundreds of people who call us every day seeking legal advice and representation on novel and interesting legal issues.
• Receive referrals that are carefully screened by our experienced attorney referral counselors.
• Grow your business and expand your client base by tapping into a new source of potential clients.

In operation since 1946, the LRS is a non-profit program that provides referrals in almost all areas of law to LRS lawyers practicing in the New York metropolitan area. Lawyers agree to provide LRS-referred potential clients with an initial consultation of up to 30 minutes for free.

Things to Consider Before Applying:

• You will have to submit a completed LRS Application for Panel Membership to the LRS.
• You must be interviewed and approved for LRS membership – see below.
• You must have a professional liability insurance policy in the minimum amount required for the experience level for which you are approved.
• You must practice and maintain an office in the New York City metropolitan area.
• You must be able to designate an administrative back-up contact.
• You will need to have a partner sign a statement of acknowledgement form, if applicable.

LRS Membership is Open to Lawyers Who:

• Are in good standing before the Bar of the State of New York.
• Have been practicing law for more than two years.
• Agree to be bound by the rules of the New York City Bar Legal Referral Service.

Costs of Joining:

• Pay an annual base listing fee of $390 plus $75, if listed for only one Panel Category, or $60 per Panel Category, if listed for more than one Panel Category. $100 discounts for —
  • New York City Bar and New York County Lawyers’ Association members (as well as a few other associations listed in the rules) and,
  • Being in practice for less than 8 years.

• Pay a percentage of the aggregate fees earned and collected.

How to Apply:

Scan your original application and email it to LRSapplications@nycbar.org. Have a question? Call Deputy Director Damaris Padilla at 917-444-9025 during regular business hours.

The Interview:

You will be required to submit to a personal interview to further review your eligibility and qualifications for LRS membership, and provide an opportunity for you to ask any additional questions you may have about the LRS. The interview is conducted by Legal Referral Service Committee members, panel members and LRS staff. The interview usually takes place at the New York City Bar after we have reviewed your complete application. In cases where an application is deemed inadequate or deficient, the application may be denied without an interview.

Approval Process:

After the interview, the interviewers will determine if you are eligible and able to be approved for membership and, if so, further determine for which panel(s) you may register. Once you have been approved, you will receive an activation packet from the LRS Billing Department. After we have received and reviewed all activation packet forms and third-party responses and documents (e.g., the Departmental Disciplinary Committee), and processed your payment we will place you in active rotation to receive referrals.