Marketing, beyond Yellow Page advertising. There should be a separate budget listing expenses, income, grants, panel funds, dues, etc. Frequent tracking is important to ensure that revenue is accounted for. Daily, monthly, quarterly and annual reports are all necessary, and should be regularly assessed to evaluate progress, as well as sent to lawyers on the panel for their information. Periodic training can professionalize a LRS staff and make it more knowledgeable about practice areas and possible alternatives, such as referrals to social service agencies.
Technology is the conduit for maintaining good tracking and record keeping.
A LRS telecommunications system, which has its own telephone number, can track incoming calls, the number of calls handled by each staff person, as well as offer pre-recorded information to callers is an important feature to have, Diaz says. The ABA survey indicates that 73 percent of LRIS programs are computerized. Having adequate computer hardware and software can make a difference in a program s efficiency and its ability to provide information in a professional manner, Diaz adds. Beyond the Yellow Pages Of course, the first step toward developing a solid LRS is to make lawyers and the public aware of its existence. The Yellow Pages, listing the LRS phone number on mailings sent out by the bar and local court, radio marketing, and, most recently, television advertising all provide broad coverage that has increased the Columbus bar referral service s exposure, Smithberger says.