While Washington Appleseed focuses on creating lasting, systemic change, we recognize that some individuals do need help right now. The following list of organizations might be able to assist individuals seeking personal pro bono representation or small organizations that need pro bono assistance.
Pro bono Legal Resources in Washington State
Columbia Legal Services (CLS). CLS is a nonprofit law firm that protects and defends the legal and human rights of low-income people. CLS represents people and organizations in Washington State with critical legal needs who have no other legal assistance available to them.
Home Foreclosure Legal Aid Project. The Washington State Bar Association is pleased to offer moderate income homeowners free legal assistance through the Home Foreclosure Legal Aid Project. To locate a foreclosure prevention agency in your community please call Homeownership Information Hotline at 1-877-894-HOME (4663) or visit: www.homeownership.wa.gov.
The Housing Justice Project (HJP). HJP is a homelessness prevention program providing accessible volunteer-based legal services to low-income tenants facing eviction in King County. HJP provides free legal assistance including: legal advice for tenants having problems with their landlords, help answering eviction paperwork, negotiation with landlords for eligible tenants facing eviction, representation of eligible tenants at eviction (show cause) hearings, and referral and resource information.
King County Bar Association (KCBA). KCBA works to promote social justice by ensuring equal and non-discriminatory access to its services for all individuals. The organization provides volunteer-based, client-focused legal services to primarily low-income residents of King County who would not otherwise receive legal assistance. The KCBA website includes lists of pro bono service providers.
Legal Voice. Legal Voice secures and protects women's legal rights; the drive for justice improves the lives of mothers, daughters, aunts, sisters, nieces, and grandmothers in our region. While Legal Voice does not provide direct legal representation, their website has a host of legal guides and referral information on family law, employment rights, LGBT issues, reproductive rights, and more.
Northwest Justice Project (NJP). NJP is a not-for-profit statewide law firm that provides free civil legal assistance and representation to low-income people and communities throughout Washington. Each year NJP handles approximately 18,000 cases benefiting more than 40,000 people in need of critical legal assistance in cases affecting basic human needs such as family safety and security, housing preservation, protection of income, access to health care, education, and other basic needs.
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP). Northwest Immigrant Rights Project promotes justice for low-income immigrants by pursuing and defending their legal status. They focus on providing direct legal services, supported by our education and public policy work. Through its legal services, NWIRP helps uphold basic human rights, preserve family unity, prevent persecution, protect children, and provide hope for justice.
Seattle Community Law Center. The Seattle Community Law Center is dedicated to providing high-quality Social Security and SSI representation to the people who need benefits the most and are least likely to get it without assistance. They are committed to providing the accommodations and tailored services needed to help clients keep their benefits claims on track and to secure the medical documentation needed to ensure a successful claim.
The Unemployment Law Project. This organization helps individuals who are having trouble collecting unemployment benefits, have had their claim denied, or have had their employer appeal the award of their benefits. The Unemployment Law Project provides free legal assistance and information to people who have been denied unemployment benefits. With offices in Seattle and Spokane, WA, they offer their services to anyone with a Washington State claim.
WaLawHelp.org. Washington LawHelp is a guide to free civil legal services for low-income people and seniors in Washington. This site provides legal education materials and tools that give you basic information on a number of legal problems, and in some cases, detailed instructions and forms to help you represent yourself in court. You can also locate information on free legal aid programs in Washington, including basic eligibility and contact information.
Washington State Lawyer Referral Services. While not a pro bono resource, the lawyer referral services list is for the general public — there are no financial eligibility requirements and can help individuals find appropriate representation. Lawyers found through this service charge their regular fees for services after the initial consultation.
Did we miss an important service provider? Please email Katie Mosehauer with suggestions to update this page.