Today, we’re reviewing some of the legit ways you can get free legal advice from certified Law practitioners.
You should acknowledge that in the US, federal Law is evenly applied in the whole country.
However, as constitutional disposal, each state can unfold a set of norms to regulate legal affairs such as family, corporate, and transport, among others, deriving in need of specialist lawyers on each of these fields, by state.
So, first, you may read a list of the areas of Law to define your needs.
Unlike other disciplines like business and technology—where practitioners don’t necessarily need a degree or certifications to labor— law demands more rigor during advisory.
As such, you should make sure that you’re trusting in actually certified professionals.
Also, while your needs and case may seem straightforward, chances are it holds non-apparent nuances that generalist lawyers, uncertified enthusiasts, and online forums can oversee.
Hence, those sites that you find on Google that suggest you visit online public forums like Quora, Twitter, and Reddit to get free advice are deliberately putting you in jeopardy.
That’s why in this article—instead of listing a set of inaccurate options to get free legal advice—we will focus on showing your official resources to guide research properly.
Avoid not actual free legal advice services.
Most sites ranking on Google offering free services are not free.
They market free consultation to attract potential customers by making them sign up and give their contact details—ending up in a credit card payment gateway, being the case for legal services platforms and directories.
The same might occur with legal firms that offer free consultations that can turn into personalized sales pitches.
Freeadvice.com, for instance, will make you submit a form to document your issues, add your ZIP code—and pay a fee.
No matter what category you choose, you must pay to continue with the service.
When searching for actual free services, look for organizations such as firms or foundations that explicitly offer pro bono services. “Pro bono” stands for the Latin phrase “pro bono publico” or “for the good of the public,” in English.
These free legal aid programs are offered by both the public and private sectors, from public institutions to universities and private companies.
Pro bono, non-profit legal services organizations
Legal Services Corporation
LSC is the largest funder of legal aid and representation for low-income American citizens, serving millions of people, as shown in the infographic below.
American Bar Association
The ABA is a voluntary, juridically agnostic association of lawyers whose activities vary from setting the academic standards for law schools in the US and the formulation of model ethical codes. On its site, you can find free legal resources like:
- Pro bono directory with contact information (address and phone number) by state.
- Free Legal Answers: ask questions via email. If you qualify, a certified lawyer will reply with an answer.
While donations fund the Legal Services Corporation, the American Bar Association works with volunteer lawyers.
LawHelp
LawHelp is a directory of legal aid communities to help you find the nearest. They have a list of legal resources you can check out.
Upsolve
Upsolve is a self-service free web app to help you fill you file bankruptcy for free.
USA.GOV
Usa.GOV is a great resource to help you find free legal help depending on your condition, either you’re immigrant, military or veteran, have a disability, or you’re a senior, to guarantee equal access.
For veterans
The United States Department of Justice
The federal department responsible for the enforcement of the law administration shares a set of public services and a list of Pro Bono legal services providers on its site.
Texas Law Live free chat
You might qualify for free legal advice depending on your level of income. If you don’t qualify, the service anyways will help you to route your legal questions the best way possible. This free chat for legal services works from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Monday through Thursday. You can also request the service via a phone call.
Universities pro bono legal advice clinics
Most (if not all) Law schools have a sort of pro bono services from students supervised by attorneys. Some of the universities offering free legal services are renowned institutions like the Harvard Law School.
Other organizations worth mentioning
- Her Justice
- Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
- My Sister’s Place
- The Innocence Project
- Human Rights First
- The Bronx Defenders
For-profit companies offering free legal services
Avvo
By creating a profile, you will have access to different kinds of legal advice topics, depending on your current location.
- You will have access to a Lawyer directory with 97% of them by state.
- Find a lawyer by practice area. Avvo has more than 20 topics and lawyers for each one so you can get specific answers depending on your legal needs.
- Free Q&A: Ask your questions and get a response within 12 hours.
Heads up: This blog post doesn’t constitute professional legal advice. It’s only meant for informative introductory purposes and, by no means, establishing an attorney-client relationship.
Consult with a certified lawyer in the corresponding jurisdiction before making any decision that can harness your rights and obligations.
Justia
Justia is a web repository for all things about Law, among universities, finding an attorney, legal marketing, and documentation.
Ask a Lawyer is their online service that lets your posit a question and get answers from real lawyers.
Rocket Lawyer
You can take their legal services for free for a 7-day trial. Rocket Lawyer is a software service meant to help you create friendly legal documents easily, along with consultation services. One of their services includes asking legal questions online and get answers by their customer support team.
Are you an organization offering pro bono legal services?
If your organization offers free legal advice services, we’d love to feature you in this article. Please, get in contact with us on the email [email protected]
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