Lawyer Referral Consultants

A lawyer referral consultant is an individual who engages in a lawyer referral service (Utah Code § 13-68-101(7))

A lawyer referral consultant may only offer nonlegal assistance or advice in providing lawyer referral services. (Utah Code § 13-68-201(2))

• A lawyer referral service means assisting a person to find an attorney or law firm that provides legal services in the legal field appropriate for the person's legal matter. (Utah Code § 13-68-101(8)(a)))
• Lawyer referral service does not include a digital marketing service. (Utah Code § 13-68-101(8)(b)))

Yes.

An Individual may not engage in activity as a lawyer referral consultant for compensation unless the individual is registered with the Division of Consumer Protection. (Utah Code § 13-68-201(1))

$200

• Pay an annual registration fee to the Division of Consumer Protection (for an initial registration, there is an additional fingerprinting fee for a criminal background check.)(Utah Code §§ 63J-1-504 and 13-68-202(1)(b))

$20

• Submit a fingerprint card, in an acceptable form, at the time the initial application is filed. (Utah Code § 13-68-202(1)(d) and 13-68-203).

Yes.

A lawyer referral consultant shall post a cash bond or surety bond:

• in the amount of $50,000; and
• payable to the Division of Consumer Protection for the benefit of any person damaged by the acts that a lawyer referral consultant or their agent, representative, or employee commits, such as (1) fraud, (2) misstatement, (3) misrepresentation, (4) unlawful act, (5) omission, or (6) failure to provide lawyer referral services. (Utah Code § 13-68-204)

The bond form can be found here

The bond shall be maintained at all times while the consultant provides lawyer referral services. (Utah Code § 13-68-204(2)(c))

Also, the bond must be kept by the lawyer referral consultant in force for one year after:

• The lawyer referral consultant's registration expires; or
• The lawyer referral consultant notifies the division in writing that the lawyer referral consultant has ceased all activities regulated under the Act. (Utah Code § 13-68-204(3))

Note: The division may assess a $300 reinstatement fee if a surety bond is canceled due to the consultant's negligence. A bond posted may be forfeited if the lawyer referral consultant's registration is revoked. (Utah Code § 13-68-204(4) and (5))

Yes.

The lawyer referral consultant shall provide the client with a written contract. See Instructions for Registration and Utah Code § 13-68-301 for contract requirements.

Note: Contents of the written contract shall comply with this section and rules made by the Division in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.

Yes.

The application will ask you if you have not been convicted of a felony; or within the past 10 years, a misdemeanor involving theft, fraud, or dishonesty. (Utah Code § 13-68-202)

Note: Anything stated in quotation marks on the instructions form should be stated verbatim on your documents.

Example: The contract must include the following:

"You may cancel this contract on or before midnight of the third business day after execution of the written contract. This excludes weekends, state holidays, and federal holidays."

Document Information: All documents and information submitted must be in the name of the individual registering as a lawyer referral consultant and not in the name of a corporation, limited liability company, or other entity.