The Ohio State Bar Association is a voluntary association of attorneys, law school students and paralegals/legal assistants in the state of Ohio.
The OSBA is not permitted to form attorney-client relationships with members of the public, therefore we are unable to provide advice, counsel or representation to members of the public concerning specific legal matters. Please do not call or e-mail the OSBA seeking information on legal matters.
If you need professional advice about a legal problem, but do not know a lawyer, check with relatives, friends, neighbors, your employer, co-workers, etc. They may be able to recommend a local attorney who has given them good service.
If possible, it is wise to retain a lawyer who knows local court procedures and who practices regularly in the county where your legal problem will be resolved.
The yellow pages and other consumer advertising may be helpful, but be careful. Just because a law firm has a large display ad or advertises on TV does not mean they are the best qualified to handle your problem. A recommendation from someone you know and trust is much more reliable.
In each of Ohio's major metropolitan areas and certain other counties, the local bar association sponsors a lawyer referral service. If you need a lawyer but cannot find one in any of the counties listed below, you can call the referral service to obtain the name of a lawyer. Often the lawyer will schedule a half hour consultation for a very affordable fee (typically $15-$25). Ask for fee information when you call.
Lawyer Referral Services
All lawyer referral information services (LRIS) must be registered with the Supreme Court of Ohio.
To view the current listing of LRIS click here or search the listing below.
Find a Lawyer
Click here to use our Find a Lawyer database.
Legal Aid Providers
If you are interested in speaking to a legal aid provider, either call toll-free (866) LAWOHIO or click on the link below to search the listing of legal aid providers in Ohio.
Ohio State Legal Services Association
Phone: (614) 221-7201
www.oslsa.org
Main Office: Columbus
Branch Offices: Athens, Chillicothe, Lancaster, Marietta, Newark, New Philadelphia, Portsmouth, Steubenville and Zanesville.
Attorney Specialization Program
Learn about the Ohio State Bar Association program that certifies attorneys as specialists in particular areas of law and access lists of certified specialists.
Attorney Licensing
Link to the Supreme Court of Ohio's Web site for a complete listing of all attorneys licensed in Ohio.
A Consumer's Practical Guide to Managing a Relationship with a Lawyer
Link to the Supreme Court of Ohio's guidebook.
Filing a Complaint
Find information about lawyer ethics and link to the Supreme Court of Ohio's Web site for information about filing a complaint.