Lawyer referrals

As the regulator of lawyers, the Law Society cannot provide referrals. We encourage you to check a lawyer’s current practice status and verify a law firm’s website before hiring a lawyer.

Below are resources and suggestions to help you find a lawyer that is right for you.

You can also refer to this list of legal resources for the public.

Check a lawyer’s current practice status

If you know the name of a lawyer, you can verify the lawyer’s current status and contact information using the Law Society’s Lawyer Directory. You can also see if that lawyer has any current practice restrictions, a discipline history and current regulatory proceedings.

You can also visit the LSBC Tribunal website to see if a lawyer has any past or current citations for violating Law Society Rules or the Code of Professional Conduct for British Columbia.

Search the unauthorized practitioners database to ensure the individual is not someone the Law Society has identified as illegally offering legal services or misrepresenting themselves as a lawyer.

For a list of foreign lawyers who have permission to practise in BC, contact Registration and Licensee Services at the Law Society.

Verify a law firm website

Scammers often create deceptively realistic websites in order to collect identification data or sell fraudulent services. Below are tips for ensuring a law firm website is legitimate:

  • Look for "Americanisms":
    • wooden gavels are not used in Canadian courts
    • lawyers are not called “attorneys” in Canada
  • Use an online service such as WHOIS to check the domain registration. If the firm purports to be local, but the registrant is in another country, it may be a fake site.
  • Check the URL: a website that has an “https” tag is generally more secure.
  • Check the site’s security status in your browser’s address bar. Most browsers display a green padlock icon to the left of the website’s URL if the site is safe.

Access Pro Bono

Access Pro Bono offers a Lawyer Referral Service, which helps British Columbians of any income find a suitable lawyer to serve their legal needs. Any member of the public may call the Lawyer Referral Service to obtain the contact information of a lawyer who will meet for a free 15-minute legal consultation. The Lawyer Referral Service can also help you find the name of a BC lawyer with expertise in foreign law.

Legal aid

The legal aid program is run by Legal Aid BC, an independent, non-profit organization that provides legal help for people in BC. If you have a legal problem but can't afford a lawyer, you may qualify for legal aid.

Clubs and social service agencies

If you are a member of a club, society or other organization, there may be a lawyer who regularly assists the members of your organization. Social service agencies, counselling services or advocacy organizations may also be able to recommend a lawyer.

Personal recommendations

Ask friends, relatives, co-workers or trusted service providers for a referral.