Indianapolis Bar Association highlights IndyLawyerFinder, modest-means referrals and free-wills clinics

Emily Burke, member services coordinator for the Indianapolis Bar Association, told the HOPE Team meeting that the association has moved its long-running lawyer-referral service entirely online at IndieLawyerFinder.com and is working to balance public service with member referrals.

"There is no fee to utilize the service," Burke said, describing a system that matches callers or web users with local attorneys and, when appropriate, refers people to Indiana Legal Aid, Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic and other low-cost or pro bono providers.

Burke described a modest-means program that can connect people who do not qualify for pro bono services to lawyers who accept reduced fees, and she said the association runs quarterly free-wills clinics and a staffed virtual "Ask a Lawyer" chat (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays) for general legal questions.

Meeting attendees raised access concerns for seniors and people without reliable Internet access. Burke said she personally takes calls from people who lack online access and that the Bar is working on website improvements and translation tools to serve non-English speakers.

On housing, Burke said evictions were a frequent referral need and that the Bar will survey members to identify attorneys willing to accept eviction-defense cases; she also noted that small-claims/trustee offices sometimes provide on-site help or attorney referrals for initial appearances.

Ending: Burke urged attendees to distribute referral flyers and use the Bar s a resource, and she offered to work with community partners on outreach and translation needs.