LAKE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION

25 No. Park Place Telephone (440) 350-5800 or (440) 918-2180

P. O. Box 490 Fax (440) 350-2298

Painesville, OH e-mail:  barassociation@lakecountyohio.gov

2008/2009 LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE

DATES: MARCH 1, 2008 TO FEBRUARY 28, 2009

Please read the attached contract thoroughly.

Date and sign the first page.

Complete the last two (2) pages.

Send a copy of the declaration page of your current legal malpractice insurance policy, showing your liability limits of at least $200,000 per occurrence and $300,000 in the aggregate, and the effective dates of such insurance.

Include your check for the correct amount ($120 for the first three (3) categories plus $50 for each additional category.)*

Mail this contract, your declarations page, and your check to:

Lake County Bar Association

25 North Park Place

P. O. Box 490

Painesville, OH 44077

* If you join after March 1, 2008 your rate will be adjusted to include only the months in which you are active during the current year. You will be notified when you need to renew.

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LAWYER REFERRAL AND INFORMATION SERVICE

Application and Agreement

The Lake County Bar Association (LCBA) has established its Lawyer Referral and Information Service ("LRIS") to assist persons willing and able to pay usual and customary attorney fees by referral to participants in LRIS. LRIS will help an inquirer determine if the problem is legal by screening and referring non-legal matters to governmental or consumer agencies if appropriate. Inquiries from those who appear unable to pay reasonable fees will be referred to The Legal Aid Society, public defenders or other pro bono legal agencies. Persons identified as needing legal representation with ability to pay an attorney will be referred by LRIS to a participating attorney believed to possess the necessary legal expertise. LRIS participation is open to all licensed attorneys having an office in Lake County, Ohio or any contiguous county.

PART I - PARTICIPATION APPLICATION

The undersigned attorney ("Attorney") hereby (1) applies for participation in the LRIS; (2) acknowledges acceptance of the terms and conditions of the LRIS Agreement; (3) provides the requested LRIS information; and (4) applies for client referrals in the areas of practice and under the requirements of Part IV.

Attorney will be notified of acceptance of Attorney’s LRIS participation, which shall continue until terminated pursuant to this Agreement.

_______________________ _______________________________________   

Date                                             Attorney Signature

_______________________________________

Printed Name

PART II - LRIS PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

As a condition to LRIS participation, Attorney agrees to each of the following terms and the accuracy of all representations contained therein.

1. Attorney is a member in good standing in the State of Ohio and the Lake County Bar Associations.

2. Attorney maintains an office in Lake County, Ohio or a contiguous county.

3. Attorney shall at all times maintain legal malpractice insurance with liability limits of not less than $200,000 per occurrence and $300,000 in the aggregate by an insurer qualified to do business in the State of Ohio. Attorney shall submit a copy of the current declaration page for the attorney-member’s policy, to LCBA upon its request; at the expiration of the current policy coverage; and annually with the application for participation in LRIS.

4. An initial consultation of any LRIS-referred person is without charge. Such consultation is limited to identifying the person’s perceived legal needs and advice.

5. Attorney will not charge an LRIS-referred client (hereafter "Client") fees and/or expenses in amounts greater than would have been charged if no LRIS referral has been made. Whenever possible, Attorney and Client will enter into a written fee agreement.

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6.Attorney will not transfer responsibility for an LRIS-referred person to another attorney and will refer back to LRIS any LRIS referred person Attorney does not accept as a Client.

7. Attorney will promptly respond to all LCBA inquiries, written or oral, relating to LRIS referrals to the extent not protected by attorney-client privilege.

8. Any fee dispute shall initially be submitted to LCBA fee dispute arbitration.

9. The Attorney shall notify LCBA promptly, in writing, if the Attorney is not in full compliance with any term of this Agreement, is notified of a probable cause determination in a grievance proceeding against the Attorney, is named in a criminal indictment, information, or complaint that charges a crime involving moral turpitude or dishonesty, of if any information in the Attorney’s application to LRIS is not complete and accurate in any respect. Under any of these circumstances, the Attorney’s LRIS participation is suspended.

Attorney authorizes LCBA access to Attorney’s disciplinary files and waives any confidentiality requirements necessary to implement suspension of Attorney pursuant to this Agreement. Attorney voluntarily waives the right to privacy under Governing Bar Rule V, Section 11(E) to the limited extent necessary to permit LCBA to be informed of any disciplinary investigation involving Attorney.

10. The annual LRIS participation fee is $120.00 (or such greater amounts as LCBA may require by amendment of LRIS) for the first three categories and $50 for each additional category. LRIS participation fees shall be paid annually on or before March 1. Attorney’s LRIS payments shall not be refundable or tolled for Attorney’s suspension from LRIS.

11. Attorney is qualified to competently handle matters in the areas selected in Part IV hereof and in such other areas as may hereafter be selected by Attorney in accordance with Canon 6 and DR 6-101 of the Code of Professional Responsibility. Attorney will associate with another attorney as co-counsel (with the consent of Client) or seek assistance from a LCBA mentor when necessary or prudent in order to competently handle a Client matter.

12. LCBA will periodically contact persons referred by LRIS to Attorney to survey satisfaction with LRIS and Attorney’s participation and representation.

13. Attorney will comply with such additional rules and procedures as the LCBA may require.

14. Attorney will promptly notify LCBA in writing if Attorney is not in full compliance with all requirements of this Agreement, is notified of filing of a disciplinary proceeding against Attorney, or in the event of any inaccuracy supplied in Parts III and IV of the Application.

15. Attorney shall be subject to suspension or termination of LRIS participation in the event of material noncompliance with the requirements of this Agreement including, without limitation, failure to timely pay required LRIS participation fees.

In consideration of the foregoing commitments by Attorney and upon LRIS-approved participation, LCBA will cause the LRIS to:

On a non-preferential basis with other attorneys in the field(s) of practice for which Attorney is approved for LRIS representation endeavor to refer a prospective client appearing to have a legal problem in Attorney’s field(s) of practice by furnishing Attorney’s name, address and telephone number to such prospective client. Any referral may take into account office location and non-English language preferences requested by prospective clients.

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PART III – APPLICANT ATTORNEY INFORMATION

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Applicant Attorney Name: Mr./Ms.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Firm Name)                                                                                                                         (BusinessPhone Number/FAX)

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________(Street Address)                                                                                     (City/State/Zip/Country)

E-Mail Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________


Admitted to practice before other Courts (Court/Year): __________________________________________________________________________________________

Admission to Bar in other State(s)/year:): ___________________________________________________________________

Ohio Supreme Court Registration Number: Expiration Date: _____________________________________________________

Are you aware of any unresolved discipline complaints filed against you? If so, explain and identify investigating agency:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Have you ever been the subject of professional discipline in any jurisdiction? If so, explain:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of your Professional Liability Insurer: _________________________________________________________________

     Policy Limits:                                         _________________________________________________________________

     Expiration Date of Policy:                      _________________________________________________________________

Are you proficient in any language(s)? If so, please list and place a check after each if you are able to speak, and/or read, and/or translate.

LANGUAGE                               SPEAK                                   READ                                  TRANSLATE

1. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________________________________

PART IV – AREAS IN WHICH YOU WILL ACCEPT REFERRALS:

Administrative Law Elder Law Miscellaneous Torts
  Adoption Law   Employment Law   Patent/Trademark/Copyright
  Bankruptcy   Estate Planning & Trusts   Personal Injury
  Business Law   Federal Law   Probate
  Child Support   Foreclosures   Product Liability
  Civil Litigation   Immigration Law   Professional Malpractice
  Civil Rights   Insurance Law   Real Estate
  Commercial Litigation   Internet Law   Social Security
  Construction Law   Juvenile   Sports/Entertainment
  Consumer Complaints   Labor Law   Tax Law
  Corporation/Partnership   Landlord/Tenant Law   Veterans Rights
  Criminal Law   Litigation Defense   Wills & POA
  Debt Collection   Mediation   Workers’ Compensation
  Domestic/Family Law   Medicaid/Medicare   Wrongful Death
  DUI   Medical/Dental Malpractice   Zoning Law

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