MBA’s Lawyer Referral Service: What Are You Waiting For?!

By Gregory Gilston, Esq.

The Montgomery Bar Association (MBA) is seeking attorneys to join their Lawyer Referral Service network. The MBA’s Lawyer Referral Service was designed to help inquiring individuals in need of legal services with finding an attorney qualified to fit their legal needs. The MBA’s Lawyer Referral Service offers prospective legal clients (within Montgomery County) the opportunity to consult with attorneys in the same geographic region.

There is no charge for prospective clients to receive a referral directly from the MBA, but participating attorneys will be permitted to charge a $40 consultation fee, which will entitle the prospective client to a 30-minute consultation. After the consultation fee is paid and the initial consultation is complete, the participating attorneys can establish their own fee arrangement with the prospective client.

Attorneys interested in joining the MBA’s Lawyer Referral Service will be asked to submit a yearly membership fee for joining the Lawyer Referral Service. This yearly membership fee will permit attorneys to join one subject panel in one geographic region. Membership for additional panels and additional geographic regions will cost an additional yearly fee. The MBA will collect a 10% referral fee for all legal fees collected and earned (beyond $500) for a given legal matter. Upon filling out an application and being accepted into the program, attorneys can choose which legal panel they will offer their services for, and which geographic region of Montgomery County they will offer their services in.

Attorneys can receive a slight discount on their Lawyer Referral Service Membership by signing up to be a part of the Modest Means program. As a part of this program, attorneys in the network will receive referrals for low-income prospective clients whose salary falls below a specific threshold outlined by the MBA. As part of the Modest Means program, attorneys can schedule consultations directly with prospective Modest Means clients referred to them. During the consultation, the consulting attorneys can further assess whether the prospective client will qualify for the Modest Means program based on the program guidelines. If the consulting attorney decides to offer legal representation through the Modest Means program, then the cost of legal representation should not exceed $75/hour. Flat fees are not permitted. If the consulting attorney decides that they cannot represent the prospective client at the Modest Means rate, then the prospective client should be referred back to the MBA’s Lawyer Referral Service so that they can be connected with another Modest Means attorney.

If you are a Montgomery County attorney that is interested in becoming a part of the Lawyer Referral Service network with the MBA, please contact MBA staff members Jessica Deazle (jessicad@montgomerybar.org) or Sherry Sutton (ssutton@ montgomerybar.org) to find out more information about how to apply. You may also call 610-279-9660 during normal business hours (M-F, 9AM - 4PM).