Bar Association helps people find attorneys
People who know they need an attorney don’t always know what kind of attorney they need.
The Butler County Bar Association doesn’t provide legal advice, but its legal referral service helps people who call to find attorneys who specialize in the matter they are facing, said executive director Janis Hackett.
“A lot of people aren’t sure of what kind of case they have. We can direct them to an attorney who handles matters they need assistance with,” Hackett said. “We don’t give legal advice, but we can give them some basic direction on what to take with them to the meeting with an attorney.”
Most cases fall into the family, civil or criminal law categories. However, some cases can be confusing. A person with an issue involving an estate or the administrator of the estate might think they need an estate attorney, but the issue in question might need to be addressed in civil court, she said.
Two attorneys from a law firm could be needed when a civil suit arises from a traffic incident. An attorney whose primary practice is criminal defense would handle the case stemming from the traffic incident, and an attorney who specializes in litigation would handle the civil suit, she said. Attorneys typically “stay in their lanes,” she added.
“Many people think legal issues are easy, but that’s rarely the case. They can be complicated,” Hackett said. “It gives us the opportunity to explain that it might be difficult to find the right attorney or why it costs so much to hire one.”
Attorneys are thorough and talk to potential clients about their issue before deciding if they can help, she said.
Some call with a problem they think is legal, but she said it turns out to be something that should be addressed by a social service agency such as the Butler County Area Agency on Aging or the Center for Community Resources. The bar association will direct people to the proper agency, she added.
The bar association also explains the rates attorneys charge and advises people to ask attorneys about what they charge, Hackett said. The bar doesn’t have or provide attorney cost rates, she said.
Some people who call are referred to Neighborhood Legal Services with its reduced rates and free work, or pro bono, for people with low income. The agency offers a limited scope of services, she said.
“Affordability is a factor, but you want to make sure you’re comfortable with them and they understand you,” Hackett said.
The bar association website provides background information about attorneys, including their field of practice, she said.
“That first meeting you have with them, that consultation, is a good indication of whether you can work with them, and them with you. You are hiring them to perform a service and you have to be comfortable with them,” Hackett said.
