The San Fernando Valley Bar Association’s Attorney Referral Service (ARS) gives members an opportunity to build their practice and provide individuals and businesses in the San Fernando Valley and adjoining communities who need legal counsel or information with experienced and qualified attorneys who meet their legal needs.

The SFVBA Attorney Referral Service provides attorney referrals for members of the public in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

If you are a non-lawyer needing a referral to a lawyer, please go to NEED A LAWYER?

WHY JOIN AN ARS PANEL?

  • The ARS generates over $1 million in attorneys fees a year
  • The ARS is a State Bar and ABA certified Attorney Referral Service
  • The ARS aggressively markets itself through online marketing, advertising at Valley courthouses, and community outreach
  • The ARS has joined with the Superior Court and Neighborhood Legal Services to create the Self-Help Legal Resource Centers that frequently guide individuals to our attorneys
  • The ARS staff screens potential clients to help ensure that individuals truly have a legal problem with which an attorney may assist
  • Panel members are eligible to participate in the ARS Speaker Bureau
  • THE ARS IS NOT A LEGAL AID PROGRAM

QUALIFICATIONS

  1. Eligibility requirements for being a panel member and minimum qualifications and experience requirements for each substantive panel. The general application and panel applications can be downloaded below.
  2. Attorneys must maintain a minimum malpractice insurance level of $100,000—$300,000.
  1. Attorneys agree to an initial client consultation free of charge to the client.
  2. Attorneys agree to remit 15% of attorney fees received to the ARS; this fee is only 10% on senior program referrals.

ARS Local Rules of Procedure | ARS Application Guide

PANEL APPLICATION FORMS

For more information, contact SFVBA Executive Director Rosie Soto Cohen at (818) 227-0497 or rosie@sfvba.org.

Submit the documentation by email, mail or fax to:
San Fernando Valley Bar Association
Attorney Referral Service
20750 Ventura Blvd., Ste. 104
Woodland Hills, CA  91364
FAX: (818) 227-0499

HOW IT WORKS

  1. Governed by State Statute with oversight by the California State Bar.
  2. California State Bar Rules and Regulations pertaining to the Attorney Referral Service.
  3. Local Rules of Procedure apply.
  4. Public requests a referral to an attorney through online request form or by calling ARS office.
  5. Potential clients are screened to determine the type of legal problem.
  6. Attorneys names are provided to the potential client on a rotating basis.
  7. Appointments are then made with the attorney.
  8. Attorney submits 15% forwarding fees to the ARS office as attorney is paid attorney fees.