LegalMatch has given the power of decision back to the end user, and let's lawyers who specialize in your area of legal need vie for your business.

I found 'LegalMatch' through a link on the Utah Bar Associatiion's 'find a lawyer' page. I, as well as many men and women  here on Men and Fathers for Justice of Utah, have run the gamut of lawyers only to find not one of them could accurately represent my long term interests, much less the short term immediate needs.  I could not believe that this was a 'free' service, as I am skeptical about anything lawyers have to offer, but I thought I'd try it anyway. 

The simple sign up process includes submitting your personal information along with your case information and selection of type of legal area you need assistance. (ie divorce, custody, child support, tax, etc.). Other options include the fee range of the lawyers you would like to respond to your request, and location of the lawyers you'd like to respond. You can select the level of 'privacy' that the lawyers will see. For example, you can choose to not show your contact information. Using this setting, the prospecitive lawyers will answer your request through 'LegalMatch without knowing who you are, or other personal information'. You will then be notified by email (or by an automated phone call if you choose - way cool) when any lawyer has respondes to your request. There are 3 levels of service, 2 paid and 1 free. These are only presented to you at the end of the sign up process.

Below is a portion of the information page from the LegalMatch website for your review.  See www.legalmatch.com for more information.

LegalMatch's free 3-step process is easy to complete, highly effective and protects your privacy.

Step 1: Present Your Case 

1. Begin by confidentially letting LegalMatch know where you need legal help. LegalMatch's nationwide service has lawyers ready to review your case, even if you live in one location and need legal help in another.
2. Then tell LegalMatch about your legal issue. Their case presentation questions are designed by attorneys to guide you through the process, just as a lawyer would during an initial consultation.

Step 2: LegalMatch Immediately Matches You with the Right Lawyers

1. Immediately after you present your case, instant e-mail notifications are sent to lawyers in the specific practice area and geographic location you selected. In more urgent cases LegalMatch will also telephone our LegalMatch Member Attorneys.
2. Lawyers review your case information and where you need legal help, but are not shown your identity until you select an attorney.

Step 3: You Select the Right Lawyer

1. Lawyers who are interested in your case respond to you with a personal message detailing their relevant experience and fee structure.
2. Review each lawyer's response message to you, and compare each lawyer's attorney profile to review his or her specific legal experience, practice areas, ratings, fees, and educational and professional affiliations.
3. Feel confident in knowing that every lawyer is prescreened by LegalMatch to guarantee they are licensed and in good standing with their state bar association.
4. Contact the lawyer or lawyers you feel will best help your case.

I followed the above instructions and found it very easy to use sign up with LegalMatch. After completion of the sign up process, LegalMatch presents you a personalized password protected web page that you can sign in to change your settings (like contact methods) and review lawyer's responses as they arrive. All of this is included in the 'FREE' sign up package.

LegalMatch suggests that repsonses should arrive in about 5 days. This allows time LegalMatch subscribed lawyers to review your request and decide if your case matches their area of expertise, location and fee schedules.

Overall, I recommend this service to anyone who is just starting out in a divorce, custody dispute, or any other legal endeavor, or who needs to find a better lawyer to represent his/her interests and goals. LegalMatch allows a better starting point for the majority of us who don't know where to start to find a lawyer, much less one who specializes in our exact needs.

So, what are you waiting for, go ahead and give it a try - it's FREE and gives you control over possibliy the most important choice in your case going forward - choosing your attorney.  http://www.legalmatch.com