Find a Lawyer

How does the Lawyer Referral Service Work?

Macomb Bar employees, like court clerks, are prohibited by law to give legal advice or answer legal questions.  Our role is to identify your legal need and refer you to a local lawyer that works in the area of law that you need help with, a lawyer that is a member in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan and the Macomb County Bar Association.  We gather some information from you such as your name and a phone number so that we can share that information with the attorney via email.  That way, the lawyer's office has notice that you will be contacting them.

 

Do I get to see the lawyer for 30 minutes?

Almost all initial consultations are completed over the phone with the lawyer or sometimes with their intake staff.  In most instances an intake interview will not take 30 minutes.  Sometimes, after speaking with a client and determining the work that they want done, a lawyer will conclude that it might not be cost effective, for the client, or themselves, to handle a particular matter.  In cases such as this, the lawyer would likely talk to you about other options.

 

Can I get a referral to more than one attorney at a time?

No.  We allow lawyers five business days to respond to your outreach before we provide a second referral.

 

Will the attorney represent me?

We cannot guarantee that the lawyer will be able to assist you. Similarly, we cannot require you to hire the lawyer.  If, after the initial consultation you are comfortable with the lawyer, you decide if you want to retain him or her, and they decide if they wish to take you on as a client.

 

What does a lawyer charge?

The Macomb Bar does not set any minimum or maximum fees for lawyers.   Lawyers set their own fees based on a number of factors.  We always recommend that you ask about  fees and acceptable methods of payment during the initial consultation

 

What if I can’t afford a lawyer?

Virtually everyone will need to hire a lawyer as some point in their lifetime.  Professional legal services are rarely planned for, but are often necessary.  If you are low income or in poverty, you may qualify for free legal services through legal aid or you may have a dispute that can be resolved with the assistance of other agencies.  (see Legal Service Agencies.)

 

I have a complaint about the lawyer I hired, do I call the Macomb Bar?

We do not handle complaints.  That is the responsibility of the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission.

 

I have a lawyer but want a different one, what do I do?

Once you have entered into an agreement with a lawyer no other lawyer can talk with you about the legal matter.  If you no longer want the lawyer representing you, terminate the relationship by sending the him or her a certified letter.  Once you receive confirmation of receipt form the Post Office you may hire another lawyer.

 

Can I get a referral for another person?

We cannot give out third party referrals.  We can only speak with the client or someone who has a valid Power of Attorney for the client.