Allen Charne, the longtime executive director of the New York City Bar Legal Referral Service (LRS) has been the leader and innovator of a program that annually fields more than 75,000 calls from consumers and makes more than 23,000 referrals in matters ranging from torts to bankruptcy to matrimonial issues and beyond. Some grievances prove silly; others turn out to be significant cases that have a lasting legal effect.
But after 30 years at the helm, Charne, 66, is retiring. He says he plans on spending more time with his family, traveling and even getting back on the handball court.
