Attorney Referral Service (ARS)
What is ARS?
Connecting Attorneys with Opportunity
The Attorney Referral Service (ARS) is a Fresno County Bar Association program certified by the State Bar of California (Certificate #0016) that connects individuals seeking legal assistance with qualified, experienced attorneys throughout Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Kings, and Merced counties.
Established as part of the Fresno County Bar Association’s commitment to serving our community and improving access to legal resources, ARS helps individuals locate experienced private attorneys for legal representation and assistance across a variety of practice areas.
Each year, ARS receives more than 7,000 calls and inquiries from individuals and families seeking legal help. Through our referral process, we connect potential clients with participating attorneys based on practice area, experience, and availability.
For attorneys, ARS provides more than referrals it creates opportunities to increase visibility, expand professional networks, strengthen client relationships, and grow their practice while supporting an important public service.
For the public, ARS offers a trusted resource to help individuals quickly find experienced attorneys who can assist with their legal needs.
For more than 40 years, ARS has connected clients with attorneys while helping strengthen access to legal services throughout the Central Valley.
Why join the ARS?
For over four decades, attorneys have partnered with ARS to connect with potential clients while supporting the Fresno County Bar Association’s mission of service to the community.
ARS is more than a referral program it is a valuable membership benefit that creates opportunities for attorneys to increase exposure, receive qualified referrals, and expand their client base.
Many ARS referrals become long-term clients, returning clients, and valuable sources of future referrals through family members, friends, and professional networks.
At the same time, ARS helps members of our community quickly connect with attorneys in the specific areas of law they need, improving access to legal services throughout the region.
- No cost for FCBA members to join
- Increase visibility for your office or frim
- Expand your client base and referral network
- Generate additional income opportunities
- Receive referrals in multiple practice areas
- Gain access to quality, pre-screened referrals
- Strengthen relationships with prospective clients
- Support access to justice within our community
- Provide important public service while growing your professional reach
ARS by the Numbers
7,000+
Client calls and online inquiries received annually
40+ Years
Serving the Central Valley legal community
5 Counties
Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Kings & Merced
$400,000+
Reported attorney fees generated by participating panel attorneys in previous years*
*Figures represent reported attorney fees from participating ARS panel members and may vary year to year.
In the past years, participating ARS panel attorneys reported generating more than $400,000 in attorney fees through ARS referrals, demonstrating the value and opportunities available through the program.
7,000+ | 40+ Years | 5 Counties | $400,000+
Calls & Inquiries | Trusted Service | Regional Reach | Reported Fees
How does ARS work?
ARS panel attorneys are organized by the specific areas of law in which they practice. When an individual contacts ARS seeking legal assistance, a trained and experienced ARS Coordinator conducts an initial screening to better understand the nature of the legal matter.
Based on the information provided, the ARS Coordinator identifies a participating attorney whose practice area matches the client’s needs and personally contacts the attorney’s office to confirm interest and availability.
If the attorney is interested in consulting, ARS coordinates an initial consultation appointment of up to 30 minutes, providing both the attorney and potential client an opportunity to discuss the legal matter further and determine whether representation is appropriate.
Attorneys maintain full discretion regarding acceptance of representation and establish their own fees for services. Participation in ARS does not require attorneys to provide low-income or pro-bono services.
Our goal is simple: to connect qualified attorneys with potential clients and create opportunities for success.
Manage Referrals with Ease
ARS panel members have access to our online referral management system, providing real-time access to referrals and program activity.
The online system allows participating attorneys to:
- View referrals in real time
- Manage and update referral activity
- Complete tasks electroncially
- Reduce paperwork and mailing requirements
- Access information previously handled only through staff assistance
Eligibility
To participate in ARS, attorneys must meet the following requirements:
- Be active and in good standing with the State Bar of California.
- Main professional liability (malpractice) insurance with minimum coverage of $100,000 / $300,000.
- Certify that at least 25% of professional practice time is devoted to serving clients within the Central Valley, including Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Kings & Merced counties
Ready to Join?
Become part of a trusted referral program that has served the Central Valley legal community for more than 40 years. ARS provides opportunities to expand your professional reach, receive qualified referrals, and support access to legal services throughout our community.
Interested attorneys should review the ARS packet to understand program requirements, participation guidelines, and operating procedures.
To apply, please submit:
- Completed ARS application page (Pages 34-40)
- Copy of your Errors & Omissions ( E&O) insurance declaration page
Download the ARS packet
Applications will be reviewed upon receipt to confirm eligibility and participation requirements.
Questions or for more information, please contact Anita Martinez at anitamartinez@fresnocountybar.org.
Testimonials
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Vincent Gannuscio, Esq.
I recently left a Los Angeles law firm and have started my own practice in the Fresno area, focusing on business formation and transactions, litigation, contracts, and insurance. The Fresno Bar Association's Attorney Referral Service has been an essential tool in building my practice. It has put me in contact with a number of community members whom I might not otherwise have reached through advertisement or other forms of networking. It has further helped in that I have been able to assist some community members who may not otherwise have had access to legal assistance. I am grateful to the Attorney Referral Service for its help in my success!
Jacob Sarabian, Esq.
Participating in the referral program offers a meaningful way to give back to our Fresno community by directly connecting with those most in need of trusted legal support. It is deeply rewarding to provide high-quality representation to individuals who might otherwise struggle to navigate the legal system alone. Beyond the satisfaction of service, the program has proven to be an excellent avenue for developing my practice and building lasting relationships with a diverse range of new clients.
Hugh Willoughby, Esq.
When I was a brand-new lawyer, having been admitted in December 1973, I went to work for John C. “Jack” Burke, one of the few attorneys in Clovis at that time. I had grown up and attended schools in Clovis, so it was a good match. Jack’s practice was typical for a small-town attorney back then (the population of Clovis was less than 20,000!) – the office did criminal defense, P.I., family law, bankruptcy, business formation, litigation, basically whatever walked in the door.
One of the first things Jack told me was to “Get on the Referral Panel,” so I did. Val Weston was the Executive Director of the Bar Association then and also ran the referral service – so she signed me up for most of the panel categories. Jack said it would help me grow my practice and give me experience in a variety of cases, always subject to guidance and assistance from him, of course! That turned out to be the case, and it certainly helped me in the sometimes-painful transformation from law student to real-world lawyer. When I left Jack to go out on my own 3 years later, I stayed on the referral panel for the same reasons I joined in the first place and the results continued.
It is now 50 years later and I’m still on the panel, although not as a generalist anymore. Looking back, it was one of the best early decisions I made for my legal career, and I recommend it for all practitioners, new-admittee to seasoned veteran.
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Anita Martin, Esq.
I would like to express my appreciation for the support provided by the Attorney Referral Services. Their commitment to connecting clients with appropriate legal counsel has played an important role in the continued growth of my practice. The consistent referrals have expanded my client base and enabled me to develop meaningful, long-term client relationships. I value this partnership and look forward to continuing our collaboration.
Randy Krbechek, Esq.
"Judge Robert Oliver, retired from our local probate bench, reminds us that the practice of law is a service industry. There are many persons in our community who have legal questions, but cannot afford high hourly rates for a lawyer. For a modest sum, the Attorney Referral Service will connect these clients with experienced local counsel, who can provide answers (and perhaps some perspective). This fills an important need in our community, and is an excellent avenue for local attorneys to help serve our Central Valley community."
-Randolf Krbechek
Miiko Anderson, Esq.
The Fresno County Bar Association's Attorney Referral Service has been an outstanding partner in building my practice in Fresno. After retiring from the District Attorney's office, I served as a legal advisor to attorneys on coercion, abuse, domestic violence, and coercive control. I now bring that subject-matter expertise to clients through the Law Offices of Miiko Anderson, with a practice in criminal defense, civil rights, and employment litigation, areas where these dynamics often appear. What I appreciate most about the ARS is the quality of the referrals, it thoughtfully matches clients with attorneys whose practice areas fit their needs, so the matters that reach me are ones I'm well-positioned to handle. I'm grateful to the ARS for its careful screening and the strong client relationships it has helped build.
