How to find a lawyer through a State Bar referral service
State Bar lawyer referral services are non-profit programs that vet attorneys and rotate referrals. They exist in all 50 states and Washington DC. This page explains how they work, how to find one, and what to expect.
These are public resources we've gathered for you. LegalHelp.ai is not a law firm and this page is not legal advice. Details can change, so it's worth confirming with each organization before you go.
- Coverage: All 50 states and Washington DC operate at least one Lawyer Referral Service (LRS)
- Governing standard: The American Bar Association adopted the Model Supreme Court Rules Governing Lawyer Referral and Information Service in 1989
- Typical consultation fee: $20 to $50 for a 25- to 30-minute consultation
- Placement model: Rotational, based on practice area and geography. No paid placement.
- Attorney requirements: Malpractice insurance (typically $100,000 minimum), State Bar good standing, and program-specific vetting
- ABA-approved programs: Meet a stricter set of standards and display the ABA-Approved logo
- Primary directory: ABA Lawyer Referral Directory
What is a State Bar lawyer referral service?
A State Bar Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) is a non-profit program operated or sponsored by a state, county, or city bar association that connects consumers with vetted attorneys. LRS programs match consumers based on practice area, geography, and case type, then rotate referrals across a pool of qualified attorneys who meet the program's participation requirements.
How the process works
- 1.Contact the LRS by phone, online form, or (in many states) via an automated referral tool available 24/7.
- 2.Describe your legal issue to an intake specialist or through the online form.
- 3.Get matched with a participating attorney in your area whose practice includes your case type.
- 4.Attend an initial consultation (typically 25 to 30 minutes) for a small fee, usually $20 to $50.
- 5.Decide independently whether to hire the attorney at their normal rate after the consultation.
Governing framework
The American Bar Association adopted the Model Supreme Court Rules Governing Lawyer Referral and Information Service in 1989. These rules established the baseline standards for what a Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) must do to protect consumers. The ABA also maintains Model Standards for Lawyer Referral and Information Service, which programs can voluntarily meet in order to display the ABA-Approved designation.
ABA-approved programs must, at minimum:
- Verify that all participating attorneys are in good standing with the State Bar
- Require participating attorneys to carry professional liability (malpractice) insurance
- Screen attorneys for the specific practice areas in which they receive referrals
- Provide a consumer complaint and feedback mechanism
- Undergo periodic review by the ABA Standing Committee on Lawyer Referral and Information Service
How is a State Bar lawyer referral service different from a commercial directory?
State Bar Lawyer Referral Services rotate referrals among vetted attorneys and are governed by ABA Model Rules. Commercial directories rank or feature attorneys based on paid placement and typically do not vet the attorneys they list.
Direct comparison:
| Feature | State Bar LRS | Commercial directory |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney vetting | Yes (bar standing, malpractice insurance, practice area screening) | No, in most cases |
| Placement model | Rotational | Pay-to-list or pay-to-rank |
| Governing standards | ABA Model Rules (adopted 1989) and Model Standards | None |
| Consumer complaint process | Required by ABA Model Standards | Varies; not standardized |
| Program oversight | State bar and, for ABA-approved programs, the ABA | None |
| Consultation fee model | Capped ($20 to $50 for a 25- to 30-minute consultation) | Set by the attorney |
| Non-profit status | Yes | No, typically |
The core practical difference: an LRS is designed to protect the consumer through vetting and oversight. A commercial directory is designed to sell placement to attorneys.
How much does a State Bar LRS consultation cost?
Most State Bar Lawyer Referral Services charge a flat fee of $20 to $50 for an initial consultation of 25 to 30 minutes. After the initial consultation, standard attorney rates apply, though many programs also offer Modest Means or reduced-fee options for consumers who qualify by income. Some programs waive the initial consultation fee for specific case types (Michigan waives it for residential tenants, workers' compensation claimants, Social Security claimants, and personal injury plaintiffs, for example).
Verified fee structures at major state programs (as of July 2026):
| Program | Consultation length | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| State Bar of Texas LRIS | 30 minutes | $20 |
| The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service | 30 minutes | $25 |
| Illinois State Bar Association LRS | 30 minutes | $25 |
| Massachusetts Bar Association LRS | 30 minutes | $25 |
| State Bar of Michigan LRS | 25 minutes | $25 |
| New York State Bar Association LRIS | 30 minutes | $35 |
| Arizona Modest Means Project | 60 minutes | $75 (income-qualified) |
Fees change. Confirm with the program before you go.
How do I find my state's lawyer referral service?
The American Bar Association maintains the official national directory of Lawyer Referral Services covering all 50 states and Washington DC. The ABA directory is the single most complete and current source. Search by state to find the LRS in your area, and look for the ABA-Approved logo, which indicates the program meets ABA Model Standards.
ABA Lawyer Referral Directory
The definitive source of ABA-approved and state bar-affiliated LRS programs, maintained by the ABA Standing Committee on Lawyer Referral and Information Service.
Coverage: 50 states and Washington DC
Includes: Contact info, hours, service areas, ABA-Approved status
Major state bar associations
Rather than list constantly-changing phone numbers here, we link directly to each state bar's official LRS or website. Each state bar maintains the current phone number, fee schedule, hours, and eligibility.
- California: State Bar of California · Attorney Search Network (California State Bar-certified LRS serving Southern California)
- New York: New York State Bar Association LRIS
- Texas: State Bar of Texas LRIS
- Florida: The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service
- Massachusetts: Massachusetts Bar Association LRS
- Illinois: Illinois State Bar Association LRS
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Ohio: Ohio State Bar Association
- Michigan: State Bar of Michigan LRS
- Washington: Washington State Bar Association
- Arizona: State Bar of Arizona · Arizona Modest Means Project
For any state not listed above, use the ABA Lawyer Referral Directory to find your local program.
What legal help programs exist for military, veterans, seniors, and other groups?
Several national and state programs provide specialized legal assistance to specific populations. Most are free for eligible applicants and are operated or supported by bar associations, government agencies, or non-profit organizations.
Active military and veterans
- ABA Military Pro Bono Project: Free civil legal assistance for active-duty military and eligible family members. Servicemembers cannot contact the Project directly; referrals must come through your military legal assistance office (JAG).
- Stateside Legal: National directory of legal help for veterans and servicemembers.
- Arizona Bar Foundation Military Legal Assistance Project: Free one-hour consultation with pro bono continuation for active military and veterans at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. 866-637-5341.
- lawforveterans.org: Arizona Bar Foundation resource site with links to national programs.
Seniors (age 60+)
- National Council on Aging: Resources and referrals for older adults.
- Eldercare Locator: Federally required Area Agency on Aging exists in every state and county. Find yours here.
- State-specific senior legal help lines: Most states operate one through the Attorney General's office or the State Unit on Aging.
Immigration
- Immigration Advocates Network: Directory of free and low-cost immigration legal help at immigrationlawhelp.org.
- CLINIC (Catholic Legal Immigration Network): Nationwide immigration legal services.
Survivors of domestic violence
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (24/7)
- WomensLaw.org: State-by-state legal information for survivors.
People with disabilities
What other national legal resources exist beyond LRS programs?
Several national organizations provide free legal information, one-time legal answers, and directories of legal aid organizations. These are distinct from LRS programs and typically serve consumers who cannot afford any consultation fee.
Legal Services Corporation (LSC)
Established by Congress in 1974. The largest funder of civil legal aid in the United States. LSC-funded organizations serve every state.
LawHelp.org
State-by-state directory of free legal aid organizations, self-help materials, and general legal information.
ABA Free Legal Answers
An online platform where income-eligible users can submit a legal question and receive a written answer from a volunteer attorney licensed in their state. Available in 44 states.
Court self-help centers
Most state courts operate self-help centers that provide free forms, general information, and (in some states) staff who can explain the process for consumers representing themselves in court. Search "[your state] court self-help center" to find yours.
Nolo Legal Encyclopedia
Free general legal information written by attorneys. Useful for understanding a legal issue before speaking with a lawyer.
How does LegalHelp.ai fit in with State Bar referral services?
LegalHelp.ai is an AI-native lawyer referral network. It operates on the same underlying principles as an ABA-approved LRS (attorney vetting, rotational placement, no paid referrals) but uses AI to conduct intake, verify credentials, match cases to attorneys, and brief the attorney on the case before the call.
Where LegalHelp.ai operates
- Our first market is Phoenix, Arizona (Maricopa County)
- Consumers: legalhelp.ai
- Attorneys interested in joining the network: legalhelp.ai/for-lawyers
Relationship to Attorney Search Network
LegalHelp.ai is backed by the team behind Attorney Search Network, a California State Bar-certified Lawyer Referral Service that has operated since 1999 and meets American Bar Association Model Standards.
If you're outside Phoenix
The ABA Lawyer Referral Directory and the state bar programs listed above are your recommended starting point.
Resources compiled for consumers looking for a lawyer through a trusted referral service. This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Programs, fees, hours, and phone numbers change. Please confirm details directly with each organization before relying on them. Last verified July 2026.