General Resources
Legal Services Alabama
Legal Services Alabama can provide representation and other forms of legal assistance for a variety of civil legal issues.
Madison County VLP
The Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP) pairs eligible Madison County residents with attorneys who have volunteered to provide pro bono legal assistance.
Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham
Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham pairs eligible Jefferson County residents with attorneys who have volunteered to provide pro bono legal assistance.
Montgomery VLP
The Montgomery Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP) pairs eligible Montgomery County residents with attorneys who have volunteered to provide pro bono legal assistance.
South Alabama VLP
The South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP) pairs eligible residents of of Clarke, Washington, Mobile, and Baldwin counties with attorneys who have volunteered to provide pro bono legal assistance.
Alabama State Bar VLP
The Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP) pairs eligible residents of counties not served by county-specific VLPs with attorneys who have volunteered to provide pro bono legal assistance.
Resources by Topic
Click or tap the name of any topic to expand the list of resources.
Appellate Matters
Appellate Advocacy Clinic
at The University of Alabama School of Law
Under the direction of Professor Travis Ramey, students in this clinic provide free legal representation in appellate matters. The clinic’s caseload includes civil, criminal, and administrative appeals, and the clinic represents a wide variety of clients—individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations; plaintiffs, defendants, and amici curiae.
To determine if you qualify for the Clinic’s services, complete the intake form .
Visit Clinic website or call (205) 348-4960
Benefits (incl. Social Security)
Social Security Administration – Benefits
Find information about benefits available for retireees, people with disabilities, widows and widoers, and more, including information about Medicare.
The Basics About Disability Benefits
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs provide assistance to people who meet SSA requirements for disability. Read more here about these benefits and requirements.
Social Security Retirement Benefits
Read about the Social Security Retirement benefit, including eligibility, benefit amounts, and planning for retirement.
Bankruptcy
Alabama Bankruptcy Assistance Program
of the Alabama State Bar
The Alabama Bankruptcy Assistance Program provides pro bono legal assistance to Alabama residents in need of Chapter 7 bankruptcy services.
Visit ABAP website or call (888) 857-8571
Alabama Bankruptcy Assistance Project – Pro Bono Chapter 7
Supported by the Alabama State Bar, the Alabama Bankruptcy Assistance Project (ABAP) provides bankruptcy assistance removing barriers to employment and housing, and benefiting the community as a whole.
Bankruptcy Informational Videos
Learn more about the types of bankruptcy, the bankruptcy process, and more via this series of educational videos provided by the US Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Alabama.
Free Chapter 7 Pro Se Filing Software
Upsolve is a nonprofit tool that helps you file bankruptcy for free. Think TurboTax for bankruptcy. Get free education, customer support, and community. Millions of families use Upsolve’s education, tools, and online community to overcome their debt, access their rights, and rebuild their financial situation.
Electronic Self-Representation for Ch. 7
The ESR system is designed for use by self-represented individuals to prepare their voluntary chapter 7 bankruptcy case petition, schedules, and statements electronically. The system allows filers to electronically submit the forms to the clerk’s office.
Families, Children & Children's Rights
Children’s Rights Clinic
at The University of Alabama School of Law
Youth with disabilities are over-represented in our nation’s juvenile justice system. The Children’s Rights Clinic in conjunction with the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program works to ensure that youth with disabilities involved in the juvenile justice system have their disability needs met and their rights protected.
Clients qualify for services through juvenile court.
Visit Clinic website or call (205) 348-4960
Child Support Information
The Alabama Administrative Office of Courts maintains information regarding the disbursement of child support and the child guidelines in Alabama.
Free Legal Help
Legal Services Alabama provides resources on a variety of topics within the area of family law including divorce, common law marriage, custody, adoption, name change, paternity and more.
Civil Law & Property Rights
Civil Law Clinic
at The University of Alabama School of Law
The Civil Law Clinic is the Law School’s oldest clinic, having provided legal assistance for over 35 years. Under the direction of Professor Yuri R. Linetsky, students in this clinic provide free legal advice and representation to University of Alabama students and members of the community in civil matters on a limited referral basis.
Clients qualify for services by scheduling an intake. To schedule an intake, call (205) 348-4960. After intake, the Clinic will decide whether to take your case. The Clinic cannot guarantee it will be able to take your case.
Visit Clinic website or call (205) 348-4960
Pro-Bono Generational & Ancestral Property Clinic
at the Faulkner University Jones School of Law
The Pro-Bono Generational and Ancestral Property (GAP) Clinic assists low-income clients in filling gaps in title to their family’s property in order to provide a pathway to financial stability and generational financial health. The clinic is located at the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law on Faulkner University’s campus, and serves Montgomery and Macon counties.
To obtain services, call (334) 386-7915.
YWCA Central Alabama
YWCA Central Alabama is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Through the years, YWCA assisted young women in their search for employment (1900s), elevated teen service (1930s) and created opportunities during times of turbulent race relations for Black and white women to plan and develop programs together (1960s). The work of Alabama’s YWCA has impact across the state but is primarily done in Blount, Jefferson and St. Clair counties.
Civil Rights & Social Justice
American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama
ACLU of Alabama accepts complaints regarding civil liberties violations that occurred in Alabama. All requests for legal assistance or legal inquires must be submitted by completing the complaint form on their website. ACLU of Alabama receives many requests for assistance each month and must select those which they believe will have the greatest impact on protecting civil liberties.
RISE BHAM & Magic City Legal Center
at Birmingham AIDS Outreach
Birmingham AIDS Outreach (BAO) provides legal services through its RISE BHAM program and the Magic City Legal Center. RISE BHAM assists people living with HIV with criminal justice, medical, and other issues. The Magic City Legal Center provides pro-bono legal assistance to LGBQ, transgender, and gender non-conforming Alabamians, as well as community outreach and training across a variety of legal issues.
Visit BAO website or call (205) 322-4197
Southern Poverty Law Center
Today, with a staff of more than 100 lawyers and advocates, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is focused on impact litigation in these practice areas: Children’s Rights, Economic Justice, Immigrant Justice, LGBTQ Rights, Voting Rights, and Criminal Justice Reform.
US Department of Justice Civil Rights Division
The Civil Rights Division enforces federal laws that protect you from discrimination based on your race, color, national origin, disability status, sex, religion, familial status, or loss of other constitutional rights.
If you believe your civil rights, or someone else’s, have been violated, submit a report using the online form.
Central Alabama Fair Housing Center
The Central Alabama Fair Housing Center (CAFHC) is a non-profit civil rights agency created in 1995 to ensure equal housing opportunity for all people living in central Alabama regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, family status, or disability. We are dedicated to eliminating housing discrimination, enforcing fair housing laws and educating individuals regarding fair housing laws. The Central Alabama Fair Housing Center assists individuals and organizations with allegations of illegal housing discrimination.
Visit CAFHC website or call (334) 263-4663
Criminal Defense
Criminal Defense Clinic
at The University of Alabama School of Law
The Criminal Defense Clinic provides free legal assistance to people charged with low-level offenses in Tuscaloosa and neighboring counties.
Clients qualify for services by scheduling an intake. To schedule an intake, call (205) 348-4960. After intake, the Clinic will decide whether to take your case. The Clinic cannot guarantee it will be able to take your case.
Visit Clinic website or call (205) 348-4960
Cumberland Innocence Clinic
at Samford University Cumberland School of Law
The Cumberland Innocence Clinic helps investigative and secure counsel in cases of factual innocence resulting from Alabama convictions. General information about the clinic can be found on the Clinics website.
Persons in need of the clinic should email Emily Bonds Davey ([email protected]) for more information.
Cumberland Parole Clinic
at Samford University Cumberland School of Law
The Cumberland Parole Clinic has partnered with Redemption Earned. The mission of Redemption Earned is to identify, assist and represent worthy individuals who have spent decades behind bars and who are deemed to have earned parole or work release. General information about the clinic can be found on the Clinics website.
Persons in need of the clinic should contact Redemption Earned for more information.
Visit Cumberland Clinics website or contact Redemption Earned
Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault & Stalking
Domestic Violence legal resources do not have income guidelines or minimum requirements to qualify for help. Anyone can call for assistance.
Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s safe shelters will open their doors for you and your children. The ACADV’s shelter programs offer temporary emergency shelter and transitional housing, individual counseling and peer support groups and connections to community and legal resources.
Visit ACADV website or call (800) 650-6522
Domestic Violence Law Clinic
at The University of Alabama School of Law
The Domestic Violence Law Clinic provides free and comprehensive legal assistance on civil matters to survivors of domestic violence in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
Clients qualify for services by scheduling an intake. To schedule an intake, call (205) 348-4960. After intake, the Clinic will decide whether to take your case. The Clinic cannot guarantee it will be able to take your case.
Visit Clinic website or call (205) 348-4960
Family Law Center
at YWCA Central Alabama
YWCA Central Alabama’s Family Law Center provides comprehensive civil legal services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence. The Family Law Center provides victims and survivors of domestic violence civil legal remedies such as assistance with Protection Orders from Abuse, divorces, child custody and obtaining child support. All legal services offered by the Family Law Center are free of charge and offered in Jefferson, Blount and St. Clair counties.
Visit YWCA Central Alabama website for contact information
Family Sunshine Center
The Family Sunshine Center fosters hope and healing for survivors of family violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking through the provision of crisis intervention, safe shelter, counseling, advocacy, and supportive service so that they may be empowered to lead safe, violence-free lives. Violence and abuse can affect anyone. FSC’s services are free and available to everyone, regardless of race, gender, age, sex, status, or any other factor. The program offers immediate, emergency-oriented services including a 24-hour resource and information hotline, assessment for services, referrals for needed services, and access to emergency shelter for those who fear for their safety; counseling, advocacy and supportive services include individual, family, and group counseling, advocacy, consultation, and emotional support services. FSC offers evidence-based, trauma-focused therapy for victims and their families.
24-hour Crisis Resource Hotline: (334) 263-0218
Visit Family Sunshine Center website or call (334) 206-2100 (office)
ONE PLACE Family Justice Center
Eligible clients of ONE PLACE may receive free legal assistance and representation for a variety of civil legal needs, particularly in filing a Protection From Abuse petition, related to their safety and flowing from issues of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, stalking, child and elder abuse.
ONE PLACE Metro Alabama Family Justice Center
Eligible clients of ONE PLACE may receive free legal assistance and representation for a variety of civil legal needs, particularly in filing a Protection From Abuse petition, related to their safety and flowing from issues of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, stalking, child and elder abuse.
ONE PLACE of the Shoals
Eligible clients of ONE PLACE may receive free legal assistance and representation for a variety of civil legal needs, particularly in filing a Protection From Abuse petition, related to their safety and flowing from issues of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, stalking, child and elder abuse.
Elder Law
Elder Law Clinic
at Faulkner University Jones School of Law
In the Elder Law Clinic, Faulkner Law students serve senior clients with many legal needs: wills and trusts, powers of attorney, living wills, property and financial needs, and government benefits. The goals of the Elder Law Clinic are to bring security and independence to our clients and to provide students with experience serving clients and their families. The clinic does not typically engage in litigation, but instead works to help clients and their families avoid conflicts and proceed into later years and end-of-life with peace and stability.
Visit Faulkner Law website for more information
Employment & Fair Housing
Central Alabama Fair Housing Center
The Central Alabama Fair Housing Center (CAFHC) is a non-profit civil rights agency created in 1995 to ensure equal housing opportunity for all people living in central Alabama regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, family status, or disability. We are dedicated to eliminating housing discrimination, enforcing fair housing laws and educating individuals regarding fair housing laws. The Central Alabama Fair Housing Center assists individuals and organizations with allegations of illegal housing discrimination.
Visit CAFHC website or call (334) 263-4663
National Employment Lawyers Association
NELA is a national professional organization of attorneys who represent employees in employment law cases. Founded in 1985, the purpose of the organization is to advance employee rights and serves lawyers who advocate for equality and justice in the American workplace.
NELA provides a member search on their website. They do not operate a lawyer referral services, and do not make recommendations to choose a particular lawyer.
US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
EEOC enforces Federal civil rights laws that protect you from workplace discrimination and retaliation because of your race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. You may also have rights under other federal, state or local laws.
If you believe an employer has discriminated against you, EEOC may be able to help.
Entrepreneurship, Nonprofits, Patents & Trademarks
Entrepreneurship & Nonprofit Clinic Clinic
at The University of Alabama School of Law
The Entrepreneurship & Nonprofit Clinic provides pro bono (free), transactional legal services to micro and small businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs, social enterprises, nonprofit organizations, community development organizations, and authors, artists, musicians, and student and professional athletes in both urban and rural counties of Alabama.
To schedule an intake meeting, submit the Clinic’s Request for Legal Services Form , or call (205) 348-4960 to request a form. After the initial intake meeting, the clinic will decide whether to take on your matters for legal representation.
Visit Clinic website or call (205) 348-4960
Patent Pro Bono Program
at the US Patent and Trademark Office
The Patent Pro Bono Program is a nationwide network of independently operated regional programs that matches volunteer patent attorneys and agents with financially under-resourced inventors and small businesses to provide free legal assistance in securing patent protection.
Patent Assistance in Alabama
at Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham
Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham (VLB) pairs eligible Jefferson County residents with attorneys who have volunteered to provide pro bono legal assistance.
Patent Trial & Appeal Board Pro Bono Program
at the US Patent and Trademark Office
PTAB matches qualifying under-resourced patent applicants with volunteer patent professionals to provide free legal assistance for ex parte appeals (of final rejections by patent examiners). The PTAB Pro Bono Program is administered by the PTAB Bar Association.
Trademark Trial & Appeal Board Pro Bono Program
at the US Patent and Trademark Office
TTAB recognizes organizations that coordinate free legal assistance to those with proceedings before the TTAB and who might not otherwise have affordable access to legal assistance. Each recognized clearinghouse organization has different requirements for accepting new clients, and matches eligible clients with volunteer attorneys.
Legal Immigration
Catholic Social Services
The mission of Catholic Social Services in the Archdiocese of Mobile is to provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and people of good will to do the same. They offer Legal Immigration Services on a sliding scale fee in Dothan, Robertsdale and Montgomery.
Servicios Sociales Católicos ofrece, a bajo costo, servicios Legales de Inmigración. Para información por favor llame (334) 305-0324.
Visit Catholic Social Services website or call (256) 284-7600
La Casita – Guadalupan Multicultural Services
La Casita provides immigration-related legal services at a low cost, based on a suggested fee schedule from the Catholic Legal Immigration Network. La Casita provides help with the completion of immigration forms and the process of immigration.
Veterans
C-Vets Cumberland Veterans Legal Assistance
at the Samford University Cumberland School of Law
The Cumberland Veterans Legal Assistance Clinic at Cumberland School of Law, provides legal assistance to veterans and their families in an eight-county area of North Central Alabama including Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Cullman, Etowah, Jefferson, Shelby and Walker counties. The clinic helps veterans and their families for whom retaining counsel would be an undue hardship.