Lawyer Referral Service records a banner year.

Lawyers participating in the Bar's Lawyer Referral Service earned nearly $6 million in fees last year, and the Bar is looking to spread the wealth by encouraging more lawyers to participate in the program.

Karen Kelly, director of the Bar's Public Service Programs, said while there are more than 66,000 members of the Bar, just over 1,000 lawyers participate in the service, which covers 48 counties. In 1999, Kelly said, the service made more than 112,900 referrals to areas of the state that are not covered by local bar association lawyer referral programs.

The Bar also is working to encourage the public to look to the Bar first when they need assistance finding a lawyer qualified to meet their needs.

Barry A. Stein of Miami, a three-time LRS Committee chair, said the Bar's referral service benefits the profession by helping to improve the public's perception of lawyers.

"These are people who typically don't go to lawyers, that are very scared of the whole process and we can make is easier for them," said Stein, who has been a referral service panel member for more than 15 years. "I have gotten some very loyal clients -- people who trust and respect and come back to me on a regular basis. You can't ask for more in a practice than that."

The Bar runs Yellow Page display advertisements across the state that emphasize the need for those looking for a lawyer to learn about a lawyer's qualifications and experience, explain the role of the Lawyer Referral Service and encourage consumers to look first to the Bar to help them find a lawyer.

Stein said the referral service also encourages lawyers to recognize their obligation to provide services to the public and advises people of the value of lawyer consultations. He said many times he derives satisfaction in just knowing he has pointed someone with a problem in the right direction.

Kelly said a recent survey found the average age of those lawyers involved in the service is 45, and they run the gambit from new lawyers trying to build a practice to more established practitioners who use it to supplement their client base.

"Once they join, lawyers will start getting referrals right away," Kelly said, noting the number of referrals can be very high if they are in a county where there are only a few panel members. "We had one lawyer in Marion County who averaged 40 referrals a week."

Kelly also said the service refers some cases that can generate substantial attorneys' fees. "We had one case this year...