Become a New York City Bar Legal Referral Service Lawyer

What is the New York City Bar Legal Referral Service (LRS)?

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 a fee of $35 or free, depending on the type of case.

An integral part of the New York City Bar Association since 1946, the LRS referred more than 50,000 potential clients to participating lawyers in 2024. LRS referrals generated over 146 million in fees to participating lawyers over 10 years.

The LRS sends you carefully screened referrals that match your practice area. Our vetting process – both for lawyers and potential clients – helps ensure the best possible match for each referral.

Plus, we handle all the marketing to attract this new stream of potential clients for your practice. With a significant new member discount for the first three years, the LRS is a cost-effective way to build your practice.

Your Experience Matters.

We value your background. While the LRS Panel Qualification Standards are great benchmarks to qualify a seasoned practitioner, you don’t need to check every box to join the LRS. If you have equivalent experience that demonstrates your proficiency in your practice area, we want to hear from you.

Equivalent Experience Counts.

Your unique background—your combination of knowledge, casework, training, and hands-on practice—may qualify you for LRS membership even if you don’t meet every current LRS Panel Qualification Standard. We are sensitive to the significant disruptions to the practice of law in recent years.

Special Offers:

  • 50% off for 3 years: All new LRS members receive a 50% discount on total LRS membership fees for their first three years.
  • First Year Free. We’ll waive your membership fee for the first 12 months if you apply for one or more high-need areas and, if approved, provide services in those areas for at least 12 months. View Areas of High Need >

Why Join?

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

Basic Requirements:

  • Good standing before the Bar of the State of New York.
  • 2+ years practicing law.
  • Practice and maintain an office in the New York City metropolitan area.
  • Be able to designate an administrative back-up contact.
  • Interviewed and approved for LRS membership – see below.
  • Have a professional liability insurance policy in the minimum amount required for the experience level for which you are approved.
  • Agree to be bound by the rules of the New York City Bar Legal Referral Service.

Costs:

  • Pay LRS membership fees: an annual base fee of $490 plus $100 per Panel Category.
    • LRS membership fee discounts:
      • $100 discount for members of:
        • The Association of the Bar of the City of New York; or
        • Affinity bar associations (check with LRS Staff about the current list of associations eligible for this discount).
    • 50% discount on total LRS membership fees for new LRS members during the first three (3) years of their LRS membership.
    • 100% discount on LRS membership fees for the first 12 months if you apply for one or more high-need areas and, if approved, provide services in those areas for at least 12 months.

Note: Discounts may not be combined. Only one discount may apply.

  • Pay a percentage of the aggregate fees earned and collected. For referrals made on or after February 1, 2023, a panel member pays a percentage fee on the total fees they receive: 15% of the first $5,000; plus 20% of the next $35,000; plus 25% of the amount over $40,000. See the Rules for Panel Membership for further information.

The Interview:

Meet with a LRS staff member and current panel member who practices in the same area(s) of law for which you applied. Typically, we will schedule a virtual interview and will reach out to you to schedule it as soon as we have received and reviewed your completed application.

Approval Process:

After the interview, the interviewing team will determine whether you are eligible and can be approved for membership, including whether you may register for one or more of the areas for which you applied.

Ready to Apply?

Whether you meet the Panel Qualifications Standards for your areas of practice or have equivalent experience, we encourage you to apply. Either way, we look forward to getting to know you and hearing more about your unique path. If you have questions, we are happy to chat with you. Email LRSApplications@nycbar.org or call us at 917-444-9025, Mon-Fri 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

How to Apply:

Complete and sign your application, and email it with supporting documents to LRSapplications@nycbar.org.

Download Application Materials

Join the New York City Bar Association

The New York City Bar Association provides a vibrant community within a community, and in a changing professional environment, the City Bar is one constant that will be with you, providing support and service throughout your career. Join a diverse network of over 20,000 colleagues across many settings—private practice, in-house, public service, the judiciary, government, and academia—to expand your knowledge, perspective, friendships, and personal and professional horizons.

This extraordinary Association has served the legal profession and the community for over 125 years. By becoming a member, you will help to shape the future of the profession as a critical link in one of its most influential organizations. When you join, you begin immediately to support and benefit from the work of the 160 committees that form the backbone of City Bar activity and advocacy – committees that frame public debate on pressing legal issues and influence local and national public policy. As a City Bar member, you have the opportunity to add your voice to history.

Join today and begin to take advantage of our member benefits. We look forward to welcoming you to membership and the opportunity to support you and your practice.