Legitimate Lawyer Referral Services should partner with reputable local legal organizations and operate according to the American Bar Association’s (ABA’s) strict consumer-friendly guidelines.

The Minnesota Lawyer Referral and Information Service (MNLRIS) is a joint effort of the Hennepin and Ramsey county bar associations and meets the ABA’s strict standards for Lawyer Referral Services.

No – the MNLRIS does not provide legal representation or guidance to people who use our service. What our counselors can do is listen to your legal issues and direct you towards qualified lawyers who represent cases like yours.

This is an important distinction to keep in mind when you’re using any online legal resource.  Some may be able to refer you to lawyers, but only an attorney who is properly licensed in the correct jurisdiction can legally advise you on the right course of action for you case.

There are several potential options available for people who may not have the resources to hire an attorney. If you’re in need of criminal defense representation and meet the necessary income requirements you will likely be entitled to a public defender at no cost to you. You can find the relevant public defender information for Hennepin County and Ramsey County in the links below:

If you’re facing a misdemeanor charge in Hennepin County and  do not qualify for a public defender, contact a volunteer attorney with the Misdemeanor Defense Project.

If your case isn’t criminal in nature you may also qualify for a Reduced Fee Program. Contact one of our lawyer referral counselors at (612) 752-6699 for more information on your options.

If you are seeking consultations regarding a personal injury, medical malpractice, or worker’s compensation case, you will likely find attorneys that operate on a contingency fee basis. Most of these attorneys won’t charge you attorneys fees until a settlement has been reached in your case, at which time they will be paid a percentage of your settlement or verdict.

Make sure to ask the attorneys you consult with what their contingency fee structure is and how it may affect your settlement.

The primary goal of every Lawyer Referral Program is to help people who might not have a lot of legal experience find the right lawyer for their issue. They do so by:

Lawyer Referral Programs that wish to maintain their ABA compliance must always prioritize the consumer’s best interests over the interests of any participating lawyers.

Some attorneys may not be eligible to represent you if they have at some time in the past or present provided legal advice to the opposing party in your case.  In fact, it is not unusual for opposing parties to intentionally meet with multiple attorneys with the sole intention of preventing that attorney from being able to represent you.  Lawyer Referral Counselors conduct conflict checks prior to referring you to an attorney potentially saving you a lot of time and effort.

There are many situations where a lawyer may not be the most expedient path to resolution for your issue. If there is an alternative option that may prove more fruitful than contacting lawyers, we can help you identify those opportunities.

If  you believe you require representation in a civil litigation or criminal legal issue, contacting a Lawyer Referral Service is a good first step. An ABA-compliant, non-profit service will provide straightforward information that prioritizes your interests over the interests of any other parties.

You can contact the Minnesota Lawyer Referral and Information Service by calling (612) 752-6699 during normal business hours or by submitting a request through our website.

The post How Can I Ensure the Legal Referral Service I Contact Will Provide Unbiased Information? first appeared on Minnesota Lawyer Referral and Information Service.