Find the Right Lawyer

The public’s trusted source for referrals since 1940
Local lawyers that practice in 40+ areas of law and speak a variety of languages
All lawyers screened for relevant practice area experience and carry malpractice insurance

Or call us at no charge — our professional staff is here to help you.

(312) 554-2001

Looking for free or low-cost help? Click here.

Domestic Relations

Including divorce, custory, support and other family law matters.

Personal Injury

Including auto accidents, slip and falls, products liability, wrongful death, malpractice and other types of injury cases.

Estate Planning

Including will drafting, trusts, probate and will contests.

Real Estate

Including buying or selling real estate, foreclosure defense, and landlord-tenant issues.

Employment Law

Including wrongful termination, harassment and discrimination.

Other Areas of Law

Including bankruptcy, criminal law, elder law, and many more.

What we do

The Lawyer Referral Service is a non-profit public service of The Chicago Bar Association. Trusted since 1874, we have been making referrals for over 75 years to screened, qualified attorneys. Our attorneys have an average of 20 years experience and are thoroughly screened for relevant practice area experience and all carry malpractice insurance.

How it works

There is no fee to receive a referral online here or through one of our referral counselors at (312) 554-2001.

If you meet with the lawyer we refer, the lawyer will collect $30 at the initial consultation (which goes towards the operating costs of our service). The lawyer may also charge a fee for their time/service, which should be discussed directly with the lawyer prior to meeting.

During or after your initial consultation, the lawyer will discuss legal fees required to handle your matter. There is no obligation on your part or the lawyer to go beyond the initial telephone contact or meeting.

Call-A-Lawyer program

Talk to a Lawyer for Free the 3rd Saturday of Each Month

Next date: Saturday, November 16, 2024

Call (312) 554-2001 from 9 a.m. to 12:00 noon on the program dates to speak to a volunteer Lawyer Referral Service attorney for general legal advice and self-help strategies.

Looking for Free or Low-Cost Legal Representation?

Chicago Bar Foundation — Limited-Scope / Unbundled Services

Find lawyers who offer limited-scope representation / unbundled services. These lawyers allow you to hire them for a specific task. This is less expensive than hiring a lawyer under a traditional, full-service model.
Call CARPLS at (312) 738-9200

CARPLS provides free or low-cost legal advice and referral information. CARPLS lawyers give free legal advice and referrals over the phone to people earning up to 350% of the Federal Poverty Level. Visit carpls.org to make an appointment or learn more about services offered by CARPLS.
Illinois Legal Aid Online

Learn about your legal problem and find free legal forms at Illinois Legal Aid Online. ILAO offers free legal information and forms in over 30 areas of law. Many Spanish-language legal self-help resources are available on IllinoisLegalAid.org/es.
JEP

The Justice Entrepreneurs Project (JEP) lawyers provide lower cost, quality legal services that often include fixed fees and flexible representation options (like unbundled, a la carte services). Find more information or contact a lawyer at jepchicago.org or 312-546-3282.
Call First Defense Legal Aid at 1-800-529-7374

First Defense Legal Aid's Civil Rights Clinic offers free legal resources and representation to Chicagoans whose rights have been violated by police but are unable to find private counsel. If you believe your rights have been violated by police, call us 24/7/365 at 1-800-LAW-REP4 to connect with our work.

Learn about the Law

Law at the Library

Each Law at the Library session features a presentation by an experienced lawyer followed by a brief question and answer period. All sessions are free and open to the public. No registration required.
Speakers Bureau

CBA members, seasoned in areas of the law ranging from adoption to wills, serve as legal experts for the news media, and professional and community organizations.
You and the Law

"You and the Law" is a topical, panel-format talk show, emphasizing the public service aspects of the law.

Other helpful resources

If you live in the Chicagoland area, some other helpful resources include:

The Circuit Court of Cook County can be found at www.cookcountycourt.org.
The Circuit Clerk of Cook County can be found at www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org.

Looking for a specific Illinois lawyer?

The Chicago Bar Association is a voluntary professional organization for lawyers, providing education, networking, and career development programs. It is not mandatory to be a member of the Association. All lawyers in Illinois must register annually with the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, an arm of the Illinois Supreme Court. If you are trying to locate an Illinois lawyer or verify their professional standing, you may search the ARDC at www.iardc.org or 312-565-2600.

Looking for a lawyer referral outside Illinois?

Please visit LRSconnect, a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to connecting consumers with other local nonprofit legal resources.

The CBA provides its Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) as a public service. The CBA does not engage in the practice of law. The CBA expressly disclaims any and all warranties in connection with the operation of the LRS.The following is a release of any claim you may have against The CBA, or its LRS, related to this referral. Read it carefully. I HEREBY RELEASE THE CBA, ITS LRS, AND ANY OF THEIR OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND LRS COMMITTEE MEMBERS FROM ANY LIABILITY, LOSSES, DAMAGES, CLAIMS, CAUSES OF ACTION, INTEREST, EXPENSES, COSTS, AND ATTORNEYS' FEES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS REFERRAL OR MY REPRESENTATION BY THE ATTORNEY.