D.C. Bar Lawyer Referral Service

• ✓ Spend less time marketing and more time  delivering exceptional legal services.
• ✓ Get noticed by individuals actively seeking legal representation for matters that match your expertise.
• ✓ There is no requirement to track, share, or report fees earned through the LRS program.

LRS Subscription Availability

The D.C. Bar LRS is available to all active D.C. Bar members in good standing.

May-July 2024
Add LRS to your D.C. Bar account when you renew your license.

July-August 2024
Complete your LRS profile. (See some guidelines to build an effective profile)

Fall 2024
Prospective clients can access LRS and seek attorney referrals.

Eligibility Requirements

Participation in LRS requires a completed application, payment of an annual subscription fee ($119 is the introductory price for the 2024-25 license year), and meeting the following criteria:

• → D.C. Bar Membership Class: Active
• → D.C. Bar Membership Status: Good Standing
• → Maintain required levels of professional liability insurance.
• → Not be disbarred in any jurisdiction.
• → Not owe restitution to the D.C. Bar Clients’ Security Fund.

For more information, please refer to the D.C. Bar Lawyer Referral Service Attorney Terms and Conditions. If you have additional questions, you can contact the LRS team at [email protected] or 202-737-4700.

There is no requirement to track, share, or report fees earned through the LRS program.

General Information     D.C. Bar Members     Need a Lawyer?

General Information

What is LRS?
LRS is the D.C. Bar’s reimagined lawyer referral program. Powered by state-of-the-art technology combining artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs), this custom-built system streamlines the process by which individuals seeking legal representation can find attorneys with the expertise they need.

Who operates LRS?
The D.C. Bar administers LRS as a service to its members and the public.
 
How does LRS work?
D.C. Bar members subscribed to LRS create a detailed profile on the LRS website describing their expertise and highlighting their particular practice areas or services. On the LRS website, potential clients seeking referrals also describe their legal situation. Using an LLM algorithm, LRS creates “matches” between an attorney’s description of their practice and services and a potential client’s description of their legal issue. Within seconds, LRS presents the potential client with a list of up to five top LRS attorney matches.

When will LRS become available?
Subscription to LRS is available during the 2024–25 license renewal period (May 1–July 1, 2024). After verification of their eligibility, D.C. Bar members subscribed to LRS will be able to activate their profile in summer 2024. Referral seekers will have access to LRS in fall 2024.

How will LRS use information provided by attorneys and referral seekers?
The D.C. Bar uses information from LRS attorneys and potential clients to make referrals, perform analytics, and make improvements to LRS.

LRS stores potential clients’ contact information to communicate with them if necessary and for statistical studies of legal representation in the District of Columbia. LRS does not store potential clients’ descriptions of legal issues, nor does it use these descriptions to train its AI model.

Information for D.C. Bar Members

Why should I subscribe to LRS?

• Increased Visibility: Get matched with potential clients actively seeking legal representation in your area of expertise.
• Customized Client Fit: With AI technology, reach potential clients most likely to be a good fit for your practice and thus grow your business.
• More Focus on Your Practice: Spend less time marketing your services and more time delivering exceptional legal services.

When can I subscribe to LRS?
You may purchase your LRS subscription as part of your 2024–25 D.C. Bar license renewal. After eligibility verification, LRS can begin matching your profile with potential clients.

If you have already renewed your Bar license but would like to subscribe to LRS, contact the D.C. Bar Member Services Department at 202-626-3475.

What are the attorney eligibility requirements for LRS?
To participate in LRS, you must be an active member of the D.C. Bar in good standing, pay the annual LRS subscription fee, complete and submit the LRS application, and satisfy the following criteria:

• Secure and maintain professional liability insurance in amounts not less than $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 in the aggregate;
• Not be disbarred in any jurisdiction;
• Not owe restitution to the D.C. Bar Clients’ Security Fund; and
• Comply at all times with the LRS Attorney Terms and Conditions.

I practice law outside of the District of Columbia. Am I eligible participate in LRS?
Yes. As long as you satisfy all the eligibility criteria, you may subscribe to LRS even if you are located outside of the District of Columbia.

What fees are required to participate in LRS?
Attorneys pay a subscription fee each year to participate in LRS. The introductory price during the 2024–25 license renewal period is $119.00. There are no additional fees for attorneys to use LRS. The D.C. Bar does not require attorneys to pay LRS a portion of legal fees earned from LRS referrals.  

Is LRS funded by D.C. Bar member license fees?
LRS is not funded by license fees.

Are LRS-subscribed attorneys required to track, report, or share with the D.C. Bar fees earned from clients referred through LRS?
The D.C. Bar does not require attorneys subscribed to LRS to track, report, or share with the D.C. Bar any fees earned from LRS referrals.

What should I include in my LRS profile?
Your profile should include your practice area(s), professional skills, subject matter expertise, awards, and other relevant information. The D.C. Bar reserves the right to remove any profile content at its discretion.

What attorney information does LRS share with matched referral seekers?
Matched referral seekers receive the attorney’s name, phone number, email address, and profile information. As an LRS subscriber, you will be able to view your profile as prospective clients see it. The information shared with prospective clients may be subject to change as needed.

What is the likelihood that I will receive referrals through LRS?
This depends on several factors, including the number of LRS subscribers, the number of referral requests, potential clients’ description of their legal matter, and the content of your attorney profile. The more detailed your profile is the more likely you will be matched with prospective clients.

LRS cannot guarantee that attorneys will be matched with or referred to any potential clients.

When will LRS start matching me with potential clients?
LRS will become available to referral seekers beginning fall 2024 after attorney profiles have been created, eligibility verified, and the database is adequately populated.

Information for People Who Need a Lawyer

Is there a cost to request a referral through LRS?
There is no charge to anyone seeking attorney referrals through LRS.

Do LRS lawyers provide legal services for free or at a reduced rate?
No, LRS lawyers do not provide free or discounted legal services. The following resources for free or affordable legal assistance may be helpful:

• D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center
• DC Refers
• DC Affordable Law Firm

Why should I use LRS to find an attorney?

• Customized Matching: Connect with attorneys with expertise on the legal issues you need help with.
• Streamlined Process: LRS is a quick and easy-to-use tool to get the best match for your legal issue.
• Qualified Referrals: Know that all referrals are licensed D.C. Bar members in good standing who have satisfied eligibility requirements to participate in LRS.

How do I find an attorney using LRS?
Complete all the information required on the LRS website. LRS makes referrals using your description of your legal issue, so it is beneficial to provide relevant details. Do not include names, contact information (such as addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses), financial information, Social Security numbers, date of birth, and other personal information in your description.