S P E C I A L
F E A T U R E
B e t s e y T. H e r d - M o r g e n s t e r n & H e r d , P. A .
Lawyer Referral
Service Makes
a Difference
in our Community
There is no better way to raise
appreciation and awareness
of the legal profession than to
participate in the LRS program.
F
F
ew things are as rewarding as giving time to
your local community. The HCBA’s Lawyer
Referral Service (LRS) program is an
excellent way for our profession to give back.
The program is certified by the American Bar
Association and is supported by The Florida Bar. The
program would not be possible without the assistance of
LRS Director Lupe Vasquez-Mitcham and her staff, who
organize the lawyer volunteers and notify panel members
that a member of the public is seeking advice in our
specified areas of practice. Lawyers who specialize in
unique areas are always needed to provide their counsel.
The program takes very little of your time and offers
you an opportunity to make a big difference in the lives
of community members who seek legal assistance. Most
calls can be completed in less than thirty minutes.
The majority of callers need direction and guidance
and are not candidates for litigation. But during the ten
years that I have participated in the LRS program, about
9
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five or six calls have resulted in claims that were litigated.
Overall, the calls generate goodwill for our profession,
because we are willing to give advice to consumers.
Another great outreach opportunity that LRS members
can participate in is the monthly Ask-A-Lawyer program
at Fox 13 News, where telephone calls are taken at the
station from the public. In addition, members have
the oppor tunity to participate in occasional speaking
engage ments to local groups or at area libraries.
There is no better way to raise
appreciation and awareness of the
legal profession than to participate
in the Hillsborough County LRS
program. I hope you will consider
joining us in the HCBA Lawyer
Referral Service this year.
Author: Betsey T. Herd - Morgenstern
& Herd, P.A.
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