The Mecklenburg Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) refers those who can afford to pay for legal services to a North Carolina licensed and insured lawyer. Originally established in 1957, the LRS Committee revamped the program in 2019 as a platform that brings together the traditional phone-based service with an online service. Additionally, the revamped program no longer collects fees from clients upfront or commission payments from attorneys on the back end. Participating lawyers are also able to manage their own profiles and track their referrals in one convenient portal.
Benefits of Joining
- Your practice is marketed day and night through our robust online portal. Online tools allow you to personalize your profile, including your consultation fees and/or rates. Plus, with more than 80 practice areas to choose from, the system allows you to customize your profile to highlight all your areas of expertise to potential clients.
- Whether seeking an online or phone referral, potential clients are guided through an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system that closely matched the referral based on their unique legal needs. Those who cannot afford a lawyer will be directed to other resources offering pro bono legal services.
Things to Consider Before Applying
- You must have a professional liability insurance policy in the amount specified in the LRS Guidelines.
- You must be licensed to practice law in North Carolina.
- You must be a member of and in good standing with the North Carolina State Bar and the Mecklenburg Bar Association.
- You must comply with the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct, including Rule 7.3: Direct Contact with Potential Clients. (Potential clients referred to you through the LRS will contact you if they are interested in seeking your services; you should not contact them.)
Cost of Membership
LRS subscriptions will be billed in three-month increments and is as follows: (a) MBA Member Rate: $195 for three months or $715 for the year; or (b) Non-Member Rate: $270 for three months or $990 per year. The annual commitment reflects one free month of membership.
How to Join
Email the following to 26th Judicial District, MBA, MBF Director of Development & Pro Bono Shelby Benson at sbenson@meckbar.org:
- A list of your practice areas and sub-areas - click here for a full listing of available options.
- Whether you would like to be invoiced at the three-month or 12-month rate (see Cost of Membership above).
- Verification that you have read and understand the LRS Guidelines.
- A copy of your current malpractice insurance declaration page.
Featured Testimonial
"Having owned my firm for more than 11 years, I have explored every method out there for expanding my client base. Of all methods I’ve tried, the MBA LRS is the easiest and most reliable marketing tool we use, and it has always paid for itself. The new system rolled out this year makes it even easier – I pay no commissions, there are no required consultations, and the web-based system makes it easy for clients. I just receive an email when the client is given my contact information, and then I’m prepared to discuss their case when they call. The MCB LRS is one of the cornerstones of my firm’s marketing strategy." - Joe Culik, Dye Culik PC