Need a Lawyer in Utah? Special Language or Other Need? Middle-Income People, Unsure Where to Look, Can Find a Lawyer on Website Developed by Utah State Bar
Legal Services E-lert

Date of E-Lert – 09/26/08

Bibliographic Info:
Author: Linda Thomson
Source: “Need to Hire a Lawyer? New Website Can Help,” Desert News (UT)
Date: September 22, 2008

Desert News reports:   "The [Utah State Bar] recently launched an online search program that can help people find attorneys that fit unique needs, such as someone who speaks a language other than English or someone who is geographically close to the individual.  The service is found on the Utah State Bar Web site, titled findautahlawyer.org, or can be accessed through the overall Web address for the organization, which is utahbar.org.  The site is intended to be simple and user-friendly, and it employs four search methods: a question and answer format; a county search map; an advanced search form; and searches by ZIP code . . . .  To date, there are 637 Utah lawyers taking part in the program and 21 languages are covered, including Tamil, Punjabi, Arabic, American Sign Language and Tagalog . . . .  [President of the Utah State Bar, Nate Adler,] is especially pleased the site includes a page for 'Frequently Asked Questions About Attorneys & Legal Services.'  It includes information about what a lawyer's duties are, things to keep in mind before hiring someone, how to anticipate and keep costs down, and what to expect from a lawyer . . . .  Alder said most of the complaints the bar hears about are from working people who have run into difficulty accessing information, aren't sure about the process and who may have had trouble affording a lawyer.  Often, low-income people qualify for legal assistance, and big businesses frequently have directories and information networks regarding legal services, but the average person who has never hired an attorney might be at a loss if the need for legal help arises."

Tags: Issues in Legal Services Delivery, Legal Services Structure