Finding a lawyer to meet your specific needs can be both confusing and time consuming. It can be difficult to know where your legal issue fits into the vast body of law. Some legal issues may in fact cover several different areas of expertise. When seeking legal advice, it is important to find a lawyer who has knowledge in the particular area of law which your legal issues concern. Finding the right legal representation means you are receiving the most accurate, and thereby beneficial, advice possible.

There are several easy ways to find a lawyer who is specialized in your area of need. Unfortunately, the phone book can be a time consuming way of finding the appropriate representation. Often ads fail to inform the reader of all the particular areas in which a firm may practice. Some firms may be specialized in one particular area of law, whereas others may be full service firms.

A good starting point in your search for a lawyer is the Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC). This self-regulating body of lawyers set up a Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) to match client needs with a directory of certified specialist lawyers. For $6, the LRS will give you the name of a lawyer who will provide a free consultation, of up to 30 minutes, to advise of your legal options. It is at the discretion of the lawyer as to whether this consultation takes place over the telephone or in person. The LRS can be accessed by calling 1-900-565-4LRS. For callers who are incarcerated; institutionalized; under the age of 18; calling about a child protection issue; or, in domestic abuse situations a toll-free number is available: 1-800-268-8326.

The LRS is available from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Special needs clients can also be accommodated by this service. For example, persons speaking a language other than English or French may be able to find a lawyer who speaks their native language. Persons seeking lawyers who accept Legal Aid certificates can be put into contact with the appropriate lawyers.

When you call the LRS, a Client Service Representative from the LSUC will conduct a preliminary interview regarding the nature of your legal issue and your geographical location. When this information has been ascertained, the Client Service Representative will provide you with the necessary contact information for an appropriate lawyer. You must contact this lawyer and provide your contact information, as well as the referral number given to you by the Client Service Representative. Within three business days, you will be contacted to arrange the free consultation.

During the consultation, potential clients may ask a variety of questions regarding their specific legal issue. Following the consultation the client has the option to hire the lawyer or to seek services elsewhere. The purpose of the consultation is to discuss the specifics of your case; the lawyer is not free to draft or prepare legal documents. This type of work can be performed if you decide to retain the lawyer's services.

This column provides legal information only. If you need legal advice please contact a lawyer, community legal clinic or the Lawyer Referral Service at 1-900-565-4LRS (a $6 charge will apply). You can contact Community Legal Services at the Faculty of Law, University of Western Ontario at 519-661-3352 to book an appointment to discuss your legal issue. Fanshawe College students may also book an appointment to attend our outreach clinic at the college. Please call us at 519-661-3352 to book an appointment.