Program Types & Tips Ask-a-Lawyer Programs There are several variations of ask-a-lawyer projects which link the public with attorneys who volunteer to provide free legal advice. Radio or television phone-in programs enable lawyers to answer a large number of questions via phone calls from listeners or viewers. Answers to the questions can be given on or off the air. Meet-a-lawyer programs allow people to ask attorneys their questions at local malls or other public places during Law Week. The advantage to the public of both the on-air program and the meet-a-lawyer is the immediate response to legal questions. From the standpoint of planning, however, both formats require that the volunteers be able to answer any type of question that comes up and the number of people helped is severely limited by the program’s schedule and available lawyers. Choosing a Format To offer more meaningful counseling to a greater number of people, several bar associations use a two-step referral format. People who call in or come in during the event describe their problem and then are referred to an attorney who will provide a free 30-minute consultation over the phone or in the office within a week. Intake can be done by legal secretaries, paralegals, legal administrators, or young lawyers who identify the type of help needed. This format matches people with attorneys who are experts in handling specific types of cases and can offer them more than a quick five or ten minute response to a question. If your group chooses this type of project, however, be sure publicity makes it clear that questions will be answered sometime that week, rather than that day. Community response to a well publicized program can be overwhelming, so be prepared for the project to bring in thousands of calls for help. Consider co-sponsoring the project with another bar association or law-related group to increase the number of potential volunteers. Find out if you can join forces with a television or radio station which can publicize the event in advance or a community group which will provide the phone bank. Getting Volunteers While it may be impossible to estimate the number of lawyer volunteers you will need, plan on recruiting early and often to maximize the project’s potential. In addition to writing members or including articles in your newsletter, place ads in legal periodicals or send a "blast fax" to larger firms. Tap sections or committees for additional recruits. Before the event, make sure those in charge understand how to make the most of the phone system’s technology. Statistics on how many calls have been answered or are on hold can be part of regular "news updates" by the media throughout the day. Technology can also help record the location of callers and nature of the call to help plan the event next year. Keep in mind that those answering the phone or greeting walk-in clients will need some training on how to fill out the intake form and end the conversation without seeming rude or cold. Local restaurants may be willing to supply food and coffee or soft drinks for volunteers. Arrange for a photographer to take pictures of the event for your own use, rather than rely on the newspaper to give you photos. Ask volunteers to record anecdotes of unusual calls while they are fresh in their minds and use them as human interest stories in a report of the project or to recruit volunteers next year. Be sure to keep an accurate list of all volunteers so you can acknowledge them in your newsletter or send thank you letters. The tremendous response to ask-a-lawyer programs is a reminder of how many people need legal help. By sponsoring a project which offers free advice, your members have the opportunity to reach many in the community who need their services. For more information, read how the Atlanta Bar Association put on this type of program. Reaching the Community Home | Program Types & Tips Home