Apply to Join the San Francisco-Marin Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS)

Welcoming Bay Area Attorneys: Learn More About our Two Distinguished Programs

Prospective members, thank you for your interest in joining the San Francisco-Marin Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS). Our nationally recognized LRIS consists of two distinguished programs:

The SF-Marin LRIS Public Service Program established in 1946, is the Bar Association of San Francisco's original public service. Today, the LRIS is the designated private attorney referral program for both San Francisco and Marin counties. It serves approximately 50,000 callers each year, providing access to legal services and resources to any person needing legal assistance. As an extension of this, the program serves as a practice builder for LRIS attorney members. This program facilitates thousands of referrals for clients seeking to directly hire private attorneys in civil, criminal, family law, and administrative areas of law (e.g., tax or bankruptcy).

The Court Appointment Program was established within the LRIS in 1973 to provide qualified attorneys to be appointed to indigent adult clients and to children by the criminal, juvenile and family courts. Attorneys go through a rigorous selection process, following intensive paid apprenticeships on active cases with experienced attorneys, to ensure they provide high-quality representation to clients as arranged by the San Francisco Superior Court. These attorneys are admitted to specific “panels” that allow them to be appointed in their specialized area of law by the Court. Attorneys work as independent contractors for the Court within their own private practice or organizational setting. The LRIS Court Appointed Panels consist of highly regarded attorneys who are leaders in their field, providing an accessible pathway for attorneys passionate about advancing justice for disadvantaged community members.

If you are interested in either or both of the LRIS programs, please follow the steps below. Please note that membership in each program is managed under the SF-Marin LRIS Program, and both programs require the submission and adherence with a common LRIS Attorney Agreement.

If you are a current panel attorney interested in renewing your membership, click here.

Step 1: Interest form and introduction call
Step 2: Submission of Panel Application(s) and Review of Policy
Step 3: Approval, agreement, and payment

We want to know more about your practice and experience. Please complete and submit the brief interest form below. Once received, SF-Marin LRIS Staff from either the Public Service Program or the Court Appointment Programs will reach out to you to schedule a short introductory meeting to discuss qualifications, the application process and membership considerations for your specific area of interest.

For general questions about the application and qualifications, please refer to the FAQ below. If your question is not covered, please submit your question to lrismembership@sfbar.org.

SF-Marin LRIS Interest Form

After the initial conversation, you will review the panel application(s) below. Prior to filling out the application(s), please take a few minutes to review the LRIS Rules and Forwarding Fee Schedule.

Next, send your completed panel application(s) by email or mail for consideration.

Submission by mail: Mail your applications to:

LRIS Membership Coordinator
The Bar Association of San Francisco
50 Fremont St., Suite 1700
San Francisco, California 94105

Submission by email: Submit the applications to LRIS Membership Coordinator at lrismembership@sfbar.org.

Applications noted with (**) are for both the Public Service Program and Court Appointment Program Panels.

Once approved, you will be asked to submit a signed copy of the SF-Marin LRIS Attorney Agreement and declaration page from your Errors & Omissions insurance provider. The last steps will be to provide payment for your membership and attend a 30-minute virtual call to onboard the program. We look forward to welcoming you to the LRIS!

Attorney Agreement - San Francisco Panel

Attorney Agreement - Marin Panel

Current Membership Fees

BASF/MCBA Members

Number of panels	LRIS Annual Membership Fee by number of panels subscribed
1	$125.00
2	$185.00
3	$245.00
4	$305.00
5	$365.00
6+	Add $60.00 each

Non-BASF/NON-MCBA Members

Number of panels	Total Amount Owed
1	$200.00
2	$260.00
3	$320.00
4	$380.00
5	$440.00
6+	Add $60.00 each

Frequently Asked Questions

I offer services in San Francisco and/or Marin Counties, but my main office is not in those counties, can I qualify for LRIS membership?

To qualify, applicants must be available either 1.) meet in-person with clients confidentially in San Francisco or Marin County in an office open to the public or 2.) be available virtually in an acceptable virtual office setting so long as this meets the client’s needs and expectations.
For non-San Francisco or Marin attorneys, offices must be a.) recorded with the California State Bar and b.) located within one of the 9 Bay Area counties, including San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, and San Mateo.

I missed the yearly sign up, is there a partial membership option?

Yes, you can sign up anytime and we will prorate the cost, so you only pay for the months you are active.

What is the cost of membership?

Current BASF members save $75 with an annual membership to the LRIS for $125/year and $60 for each additional panel. The annual LRIS membership for non-BASF members is $200 and $75 for each additional panel.

Can the LRIS membership improve my practice?

Yes, we work as an extension of your office, and when you join the LRIS we will save you valuable time by screening potential clients for your office and offering referrals that are tailored to your experience and interest. Membership to the LRIS can also elevate your practice by expanding your marketing footprint and organic reach through the program’s promotional activities.

Do I get to choose who I consult with and what is the process?

Yes, you get to decide which clients you consult with. The LRIS staff will reach out to you personally by telephone to review potential cases with you directly. Once you accept a referral, we will coordinate an initial consultation with the prospective client.

Can I do my consultations by phone or virtually, and what are my consultation obligations?

Yes, most referrals we arrange are for a phone or virtual consultation because they save time for both clients and attorneys. Clients will expect a 30-minute consultation directly with the LRIS member. LRIS attorneys are not obligated to represent the clients.