Finding a Lawyer the Lawyer2Lawyer Way
"Lance," said Linda Lawyer, standing in the doorway to his office at L&L Law, "we need to find a lawyer to act as co-counsel on the Hubbard file—someone with offices up in Marquette. Do you know of anyone?"
"Not off hand," Lance said. "We could run an ad in the local paper or we could use the new State Bar of Michigan Lawyer2Lawyer Referral Directory to find someone."
With this service you can search for a lawyer for referral, freelance, co-counsel work, consultation, or to hire directly. The process is simple: log in to the directory, click on the navigation menu icon (3 horizontal lines at the top of the page), click on "Resources" and then select "Lawyer2Lawyer."
When viewing the directory, using the search box on the left of the page allows you to narrow your search to:
- A practice area and a niche practice area—you can write your own or select from a pull-down list
- A county or a city
- A particular federal court
- Jurisdiction
You can also use the search wizard to answer questions regarding your particular situation such as: Do you pay referral fees? Do you have malpractice insurance?
After completing the search terms, click the Search button—you will see results for lawyers who match your search criteria. Each entry has two options: Send Message and Referral Info located to the right of the lawyer's name. You can send a message to a lawyer or read their answers to referral questions.
The Lawyer2Lawyer Directory is an efficient and effective way to find a lawyer to help you with a project. It is also a great way to offer your services to other lawyers.
Normally a paid service, the directory is being offered free for three months.
The listing consists of two parts: a listing area and a box for a small advertisement. For example, you might list your practice area as "appeals." That designation, along with your contact information, completes the area on the left. By adding the premium services, you can include advertisements for up to five practice listings on the right. Let's assume you limit your appeals to family law issues. For example, you could include information about appeals relating to:
- Divorce
- Child custody
- Spousal support
- Property division or QDROs
- Termination of parental rights
Not only is the service free for three months, it is relatively easy to set up. Here's how:
- Start at the State Bar log in page and log in using your username and password.
- Go to the Product Description page, click on Lawyer2Lawyer Referral Directory.
- Select the "Buy Now" button.
- Choose up to five niche practice listings with premium ads.
- Follow the instructions for each listing and, before you know it, you'll be finished.
- If, however, you need help, the Help Desk is ready to assist you.
You can preview, modify, and edit your listing at any time. The entire Lawyer2Lawyer Professional Referral Directory will be available for viewing by all lawyers logged in to Zeekbeek under the "Resources," "Lawyer2Lawyer" tab.
And, since Zeekbeek is now the directory for the Ohio, and soon the Indiana Bar, you can access their listings as well, just as lawyers in those states will be able to access yours!
The practice of law continues to grow more fast-paced, increasing the importance of qualified referrals. Using this new SBM service, you can let your colleagues know about your availability for referrals or find a lawyer to assist you with a project. Sign up today and get three months free.
Roberta Gubbins has served as the editor of the Ingham County Legal News. Since leaving the paper, she provides services as a ghostwriter editing articles, blogs, and e-blasts for lawyers and law firms. She is the editor of Briefs, the Ingham County Bar Association e-newsletter, and The Mentor, SBM Master Lawyers Section newsletter.
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How to Login and Edit Your Profile
Zeekbeek For Lawyers Page—learn about all the new directory features
How to Contact ZeekBeek Support