Illinois Lawyer Finder, the bar’s preeminent lawyer search tool, has launched a new website. A collaboration between ISBA and CloudLaw, Public Benefit Corporation (dba ReliaGuide), the site aims to assist the public in finding a lawyer right for their case and to help lawyers gain quality clients.

It is estimated that up to 25 percent of adults have a legal need in any given year. Of this group, over half search for a lawyer on their own.  In the State of Illinois, that means that at least 1,232,335 people will turn to the internet as one of their self-search options. Many will ultimately arrive at the Illinois State Bar Association website which is why the ISBA created this accessible, straightforward, and invaluable directory to help potential clients connect with bar members directly from the ISBA website.

The new Illinois Lawyer Finder makes it easy for potential clients to search by practice area, keywords, or lawyer name, making it faster and easier to find a lawyer. For those clients who need extra assistance selecting the type of lawyer needed, the site offers quick links written in easy-to-understand language for the most searched practice areas. 

When a potential client finds a lawyer they think is right for their legal needs, they can make contact directly from the search results list or a lawyer’s detailed profile. The lawyer will receive an email with the case details and the contact information for the potential client (no more signing in to view and respond to contact requests). This customer-friendly process improves response time and can make an appreciable difference in your bottom line (as taking longer than 24 hours to respond to a potential client request most often results in a lost opportunity). Lawyers can even check their progress on the go with the mobile optimized site that is responsive to all screen sizes.

So, what factors does a consumer typically consider when determining a lawyer’s suitability to handle their legal needs? More than anything, consumers want to know about a lawyer’s experience and credentials; the types of cases the lawyer handles; what the legal process entails, what they can expect moving forward; and an estimated cost for their case.

With the new site’s clean, modern layout and simplified profile editing, members can easily tailor their profile content to help provide the information potential clients seek. All ISBA members receive a free Illinois Lawyer Finder basic profile which provides the lawyer’s contact information, headshot, title, up to 5 practice areas, and education history. The user-friendly photo editor makes it simple to add headshots, office pictures, award photos, conference, and other photos. Members can choose from over 300 practice areas to perfectly describe their practice.

For a small fee of $10 per month or $110 per year (possibly less than one billable hour per year), members may upgrade to Profile Plus to provide a more complete picture of themselves and their practice. This option helps lawyers showcase the depth and breadth of their practice, showcase their firm personality, and includes the ability to add a detailed biography, rates and billing information, awards received, influential cases handled, languages spoken, website, speaking engagements, and more.

Members can visit their robust dashboard to view analytics on how their profile is performing.  The analytics track interactions such as views and contact requests. Additionally, comprehensive reporting functionality provides insight into the number and type of searches that return a member’s profile in the results.

To help members stand out in search results, the newly designed business cards put a member’s tagline, practice areas, biography, languages spoken, contact information, and whether they are accepting clients or offer a free consultation, front and center. 

With thousands of potential customers looking for a lawyer right now, increasing your web presence is not just a good thing, it is essential to growing your practice. Find out how to use the Illinois Lawyer Finder to enhance your web presence today.