What is the Lawyer Referral Service (LRS)?

It is a service provided by the HCBA through which a person is referred to a lawyer who is committed to providing and interested in participating in legal services on a basis that takes into consideration the client’s ability to pay and the type of legal problems presented.

How does a lawyer qualify to be a member of the Lawyer Referral Service?

Attorneys must be members in good standing of The Florida Bar; they must be engaged in the full time practice of law; they must certify competency in any area of law in which clients will be accepted. An attorney on the practice panel must have previous experience in any area they elect to receive referrals; they must agree to maintain a law office which is clearly identifiable to the public; they must provide proof of professional liability insurance; and they must agree to pay annual dues of $150.00/$300.00 per year depending on HCBA membership/non-membership.

How does the Lawyer Referral Service serve the citizens of Tampa?

The Service offers an initial 30 minute legal consultation (with attorneys in private practice) at a reduced rate of $50.00. The fee is waived for the following areas of practice: Social Security, Senior Wills, Personal Injury, Torts, Workers’ Compensation and the Department of Labor Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) cases.

LRS also coordinates the Library Series and Ask-A-Lawyer –two free legal advice services. Ask-A-Lawyer is a partner program with TV FOX 13. Every month, our members donate their time to serve on a phone bank at the FOX 13 television studio. The public is encouraged to call and receive free legal advice.   The Library Series also offers free legal services such as simple wills, powers of attorney, health care surrogates and living wills. These are scheduled as space is available at local libraries. For more information on upcoming dates for the Library Series, or Ask-A-Lawyer please call the LRS at 813-221-7780. 

If you would like to be a member of our Lawyer Referral Service, please click on the links below to download the appropriate forms:

Lawyer Referral Service
Criminal Law Panel
Domestic Relations Panel
Personal Injury Panel
FMLA/FLSA