The Special Committee on Lawyer Referral oversees the Virginia Lawyer Referral Service in order to promote the goals of:
- Providing citizens from the general public (who might otherwise consult unauthorized practitioners) access to legal services through an immediate referral to qualified, competent, fully-licensed practitioners in their specific area of need;
- Referring citizens to other appropriate resources able to assist them with their legal or law-related problems;
- Encouraging the practice of “preventive law" by assisting citizens in solving many potential problems before they become more serious;
- Generally, bringing the public to a better understanding of the law and legal profession.
The committee also establishes policies and procedures that may include membership and consultation fees, marketing strategies, community outreach, budget planning, and membership guidelines. The committee's work may include other specific assignments or requests in its general area of responsibility from the bar's officers, the Executive Committee, or Council.
The committee members are appointed by the VSB President-elect after volunteers are solicited in the fall in Virginia Lawyer magazine, in emails, and online; applications are due in February. Applicants send a brief résumé and fill out a committee preference form.
Upcoming meetings may be found on the Calendar and are subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Agendas and call in numbers will be provided on the meeting entry on the Calendar.