But rapid access has created its own pitfalls, which the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Lawyer Referral and Information Services hopes to lessen by encouraging consumers to use the committee's on-line listing of Lawyer Referral services.

"Because so many 'for-profit' dot-coms for legal advice have sprouted up in the past few years, this has become a 'buyer beware' situation," cautions Ron Abernethy, chair of the committee. "The ABA's Lawyer Referral listing is a public service provided by state and local bar associations that can help consumers make better decisions."

The web site can be found online at www.abanet.org/referral and lists more than 300 Lawyer Referral programs throughout the country. Those that meet ABA standards are identified by the ABA Lawyer Referral logo.

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