Mark A. Easter
One of the most overlooked and perhaps underutilized resources provided by the RCBA, to both the public and to local attorneys, is the Lawyer Referral Service (“LRS”). RCBA formed LRS in 1968 to provide a public service to Riverside County citizens, so that anyone in need of an attorney could, at a minimum, speak with someone and get matched up with the best lawyer available for a consultation.
The intake process at LRS is straightforward. Applicants who contact LRS (by e-mail or phone) initially speak with an intake counselor, who will write down information on the case, so that he/she can determine which LRS attorney is the most appropriate to assist the individual. The applicant and the attorney are then connected to set up an initial meeting. There is no consultation fee for matters related to worker’s compensation, personal injury, or social security. For all other types of matters, there is a $40 initial consultation fee, which goes to LRS to cover the administrative costs. If the attorney takes on the applicant’s case, the attorney and applicant enter their own fee arrangement.
IF I TAKE THE APPLICANT’S CALL, AM I REQUIRED TO TAKE THE CASE?
No, the attorney is only committing to the initial consultation, which may involve giving advice or direction to the applicant. After that initial consultation, the attorney may decide that he/she cannot take on the matter or does not want to take on the matter for any reason or no reason.
IF I TAKE THE CASE, WILL THERE BE AN EXPECTATION THAT I WILL HANDLE THE CASE PRO BONO?
No, the LRS intake counselors tell applicants up front that this is a referral service only and that if they are matched with an attorney, they will need to enter into a fee arrangement with the attorney. Having said that, the attorney is of course free to charge a discount rate or decide to handle the matter pro bono.
IF I TAKE ON A CASE, WHAT PERCENTAGE OF ANY FEES PAID ON THE CASE GO BACK TO LRS?
Fifteen percent, which goes back into the administration of the LRS program and provides a source of income for the RCBA.
IS THERE AN EVALUATION PROCESS IN PLACE TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE WHO CALL INTO LRS ARE NOT TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY ATTORNEYS?
Yes, all applicants have the opportunity, either after the initial consultation or after their case is over, to fill out a questionnaire or survey and either compliment or express concerns about the services provided. These responses are reviewed by the LRS Board members, who may, if warranted, remove attorneys as LRS panelists for reasons such as poor performance or non-responsiveness by the attorney.
WHAT AREAS OF LAW ARE MOST REQUESTED BY THE APPLICANTS?
Family law, landlord/tenant, consumer contract, real estate, civil harassment restraining orders, property damage, and mechanic’s liens.
WHAT AREAS OF LAW ARE IN NEED OF ATTORNEYS TO REFER APPLICANTS?
Administrative, adoptions, family law, guardianships, conservatorships, immigration, consumer contract, and landlord/tenant.
Aaron Garcia has offices in Rancho Mirage and Riverside. Aaron took criminal cases from LRS for 3 or 4 years after leaving the District Attorney’s office. For over ten years since then, Aaron has been on the LRS panel, and has taken on numerous business and real estate matters referred to him by LRS. Aaron explained that in addition, his role on many occasions is limited to advising an applicant the following: (1) How much filing a lawsuit will cost them; 2) That they do not have much of a case; 3) That they do not have sufficient recoverable damages; or 4) That filing a small claims action would make more sense. Although these referrals take time, Aaron appreciates having the opportunity to perform public service in this fashion.
Robert Chandler, who has practiced in Riverside for over 30 years, is a strong proponent of LRS and is surprised that many new attorneys and/or solo practitioners do not utilize LRS. Robert says that when he first started his practice, LRS was a primary source of his office’s new business. Some of his cases have been representing tenants. But most of the matters that have come to him have been business and real estate, including quiet title, partition, and easement cases. Robert said that in some of these cases, he charged well under his full private rate, but it was a rate that the client could afford and was still profitable for the attorney.
Thomas Sardoni has been practicing in Riverside for 34 years and has utilized the LRS service for 25-30 years. Thomas said that being an LRS panelist is a great and efficient way to meet people and get your name out. Thomas appreciates having the opportunity to calm people down when they think that they have no options. Thomas said that while the initial referrals do not always lead to engagements, those individuals will often refer other people to his office maybe months or a year later. Thomas estimates that about 25-30% of the people who call him become clients, in areas of business, real estate or employment. Finally, Thomas specifically wanted to give a shout out to the RCBA staff that administer LRS—that they do a tremendous job screening call-ins and making sure that they fully understand how the LRS program works.
So, if you are just starting out as an attorney or otherwise looking to expand your practice, you may want to consider signing up to be on the LRS panel. If you would like more information on this process, please contact Charlene Nelson at (951) 682-1015. Our next General Membership meeting will be on May 16. We will have graduation for the New Attorney Academy and a presentation on attorney wellness by Sharon Vidano.
Mark A. Easter is the president of the RCBA, a partner at Best Best & Krieger LLC, and has been residing and practicing law in Riverside since 1989.
