Look at attorney websites. Some attorneys advertise their pro bono work on their own websites, or belong to pro bono networks. Some law firms use pro bono work as an opportunity for law students and beginning attorneys to get hands-on experience working with clients on a case.
It is easy to browse legal aid & pro bono attorney listings in your immediate area, search for a specific individual referred by a friend, or start narrowing your search by practice area. When you find attorneys who interest you, spend time and explore their profiles.
Some law firms use pro bono work as an opportunity for law students and beginning attorneys to get hands-on experience working with clients on a case.
Clinics are typically open to the community and are staffed by law students under the supervision of law professors. Visit the American Bar Association's Law School Directory for a list of participating schools or simply call your local law school to see whether it has a pro bono clinic that can help with your particular legal issue.
You might qualify for a free lawyer, called a “public defender,” if you are involved in one of the following legal issues: Eviction: As of May 2021, low-income renters in Washington state now have the right to a lawyer in eviction. Call 1-855-657-8387.
Free legal advice Contact the Coordinated Legal Education, Advice, and Referral - CLEAR. CL EAR is Northwest Justice Project's toll-free telephone service for eligible low-income people to obtain free legal assistance with civil legal problems. Call toll-free at 1-888-201-1014 - if you are under 60 and low-income.
A lawyer who works pro bono does not get paid for the commitment on the case. To cover the loss of income, lawyers often cover the pro bono cases through charges to paying clients. Others work on a “no win, no fee” basis. They only get paid if they win the case.
Find an AttorneyThe Washington State Bar Association website. These are not low-cost or reduced fee attorneys.The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys website has a listing of lawyers who specialize in elder law. These are not low-cost or reduced fee attorneys.
If you need a public defender for a case that is not in Seattle Municipal Court, please contact King County Public Defense at (206) 296-7662. Eligibility for a public defender is determined through a financial interview. You must qualify as indigent under Washington State law, RCW 10.101 .
Compose your letter requesting pro bono legal services. If possible, address the attorney by name. Otherwise, address your letter to the appropriate person at the legal aid society.
Pro bono work is legal advice or representation provided free of charge by legal professionals in the public interest.
Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.
You can run an attorney search at databases such as Avvo and Martindale Hubbell, which provide information such as practice areas, location, disciplinary records, and lawyer reviews. You might also consult your local or state bar association's attorney directory, which is a list of lawyers in your area.
WSBA operates under the delegated authority of the Washington Supreme Court to license the state's nearly 40,000 lawyers and other legal professionals.
Pro se (pronounced “pro say”) is a legal term for a person who doesn’t have a lawyer. You have the right to choose to represent yourself pro se in any legal matter unless a court finds that you are not competent to do so. Pro bono is a legal term used to describe free legal services provided by lawyers.
In this document, you give someone the power to make decisions for you in very specific circumstances, like if you have a health emergency and cannot make decisions for yourself. It does not mean this person is a lawyer who can give legal advice or represent you in court.
In King County, for example, family law facilitators give information and referrals to people representing themselves in family law cases for a small fee (fee waivers available).
Dependency actions: Low-income parents can get a public defender when the state seeks to terminate their parental rights. A minor child involved in dependency actions may also ask the court for a free lawyer through the Guardian ad Litem.
Note: In family law cases, your lawyer may be willing to file a motion asking the court to order the other party to pay your lawyer’s fees, if the other party is financially able to do so. If the other party ignores the order, you will be responsible for paying your lawyer while that plays out in court.
The resources available to you depend on where you are located. Click the button to find your local program on the map.
We’re always looking for volunteers and partners. Complete the form here and we will connect you with your local program.
Legal aid changes lives. Make a donation through the Legal Foundation of Washington today to help support our work.
Pro bono lawyers offer free or reduced-cost legal representation for a range of civil and criminal litigation matters, such as housing, bankruptcy, divorce, domestic violence, child custody, immigration and unemployment cases. Pro bono legal assistance is available to those who cannot afford an attorney.
In fact, the American Bar Association recommends that every lawyer aspires to deliver at least 50 hours of pro bono legal services per year.
Nonprofit organizations, such as LawHelp.org, match people living on low incomes who need legal help. They can put you in contact with local legal aid programs and lawyers who are willing to donate their time to clients who cannot afford to pay. Law Help maintains an interactive map that you can click on by state to pull up a list of local legal aid programs.
Many law schools require students to render pro bono services as a condition of graduation. Clinics are typically open to the community and are staffed by law students under the supervision of law professors. Visit the American Bar Association's Law School Directory for a list of participating schools or simply call your local law school ...
Many law firms provide pro bono work as part of their corporate social responsibility programs. They'll typically display their practice areas on their websites and provide phone numbers to call for more information.
Lawyers licensed to practice law in other states and territories of the United States may be eligible for Admission by Motion or by Uniform Bar Exam Score transfer to Washington.
Any discrepancy or conflict between the information provided here and the rules and regulations set by the Washington Supreme Court, or the Bylaws and policies of the Washington State Bar Association, is unintentional and will be resolved in favor of strict compliance with the rules, regulations, Bylaws and policies.
1. Locate your nearest legal aid office. Search online to find the website of the legal aid office in your city or county. Legal aid websites also often has other free resources and information you can use as you plan your case.
If you don't qualify for assistance from legal aid, you might qualify for a state or local bar association program. Bar associations often have pro bono programs that offer assistance to people who meet other criteria, even if their income is too high for legal aid.
For 2019, the Legal Services Corporation provides assistance for individuals and families earning income below 125 percent of the federal poverty guideline.
Some attorneys advertise their pro bono work on their own websites, or belong to pro bono networks . Some law firms use pro bono work as an opportunity for law students and beginning attorneys to get hands-on experience working with clients on a case.