How do I talk to a lawyer?

Here are some ways to find a lawyer in British Columbia:

• The Lawyer Referral Service helps connect you with a lawyer for a free 15-minute consultation. You can contact the service, operated by Access Pro Bono, through their website or by calling 604-687-3221. You explain your situation. The service suggests a lawyer who does that type of law in your area of the province. You can make an appointment with them for a free 15-minute consultation to see if you want to hire them.

• The BC Legal Directory allows you to search for a lawyer by community or area of law. The directory is from the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch. It can be a good way to find a lawyer with expertise in a certain area, such as copyright law or insurance law. Many lawyers will provide a free consultation to see if you want to hire them. You can search the directory here.

If you have a low or modest income, there are options to get free help from a lawyer: 

• If you are facing some types of criminal, family, or immigration problems, Legal Aid BC may be able to provide you with a lawyer for free.

• Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS) provides free legal assistance to people facing certain types of eviction, human rights, or work-related issues.

• With pro bono legal services, lawyers volunteer to provide free legal advice to those who can’t afford a lawyer or get legal aid.

We explain these options and more in our page on free and low-cost legal help.