Legal aid resources offer free, sliding scale or low cost advice, assistance or representation to people who cannot otherwise afford legal counsel. Self help centers can give you guidance and acquaint you with the law. For some services, clients must qualify financially. See the Subject Index for specific areas of law, such as problems with disability discrimination, protection of the elderly, expungement or legal issues effecting the LGBT community.
Center on Wrongful Convictions, Bluhm Legal Clinic - provides legal representation to persons who have been wrongfully convicted. Legal clinics allow law students to work with clients under supervision by experienced attorneys. Requests must be sent by mail. See website for details and mail letters to: Center on Wrongful Convictions, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, 375 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.
Directory of Law School Public Interest and Pro Bono Programs - Provides a list of Law schools with free legal clinics. Legal clinics give students the opportunity to work on cases under the supervision of experienced attorneys.
LA. Free Legal Answers - provides legal advice and assistance for civil legal questions. Clients must qualify financially for this service.
LaFASA (Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault) - provides free legal services to victims of sexual assault. Contact: (888) 995-7273, (225) 372-7587, sean@lafasa.org.
Legal Aid Area Directory - provides a list of free legal assistance and/or representation in civil cases to low-income residents.
LouisianaLawHelp.org - an online guide for free legal help in Louisiana, including referrals, court information, forms, social service agencies, and more.
Louisiana Public Defender District Offices - provides a list of public defender offices by district. Public defenders are assigned by the courts. New Orleans public defender office: 2601 Tulane Avenue, Suite 700, New Orleans, LA., 70119. Or call: (504) 821-8101.
Loyola Law Clinics -The Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic and The Gillis Long Poverty Law Center - both provide legal services to the indigent and often will only work with cases assigned by a court. Law clinics provide students an opportunity to work on cases with supervision by experienced attorneys. For the Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic contact: (504) 861-5590. For the Gillis Long Poverty Law Center contact: (504) 861-5762 or email: cmluwisc@loyno.edu
National Women’s Law Center - provides representation in a small number of civil cases but they also provide information, guidance and referrals for issues involving sex discrimination. Submit a form online for assistance.
Orleans Parish Public Defender - The Public Defender is assigned by the court to provide legal representation to indigent clients. See their website under What We Do for information such as qualifying for a public defender, bond information, social services and resources for individuals who have been arrested.
Pro Bono Project - provides lawyer referrals to resolve civil legal issues. Clients must meet federal income requirement poverty guidelines. Their website provides intake forms and alternate resources if you don’t meet the poverty guidelines. They also have community legal clinics but call to get a current schedule. Contact: 615 Baronne St., Suite 203, New Orleans, LA 70113. (504) 581-4043. Email: info@probono-no.org, or for intake form and questions: intake@probono-no.org.
Self-Help Resource Centers - provide resources, referrals to free legal aid services and general questions from people without legal representation. Volunteers help with using the website www.LawHelp.org/LA, filling out court forms and accessing case information. Locations are listed below.
Self-Representation Litigants, Louisiana State Bar Association - provides information to low-income individuals with civil legal issues. The website offers options for people seeking help or handling the case themselves, including a list of self-help centers by parish, lawyer referrals and legal aid services by parish. Also see resources under the 'Public Resources' tab for filing lawyer complaints and other services.
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services - provides free legal aid for low-income people throughout Southeast Louisiana. The New Orleans office: 1340 Poydras, Suite 600, New Orleans, LA 70112. Apply online, or call: toll free (877) 521-6242, locally (504) 529-1000, or call the main number (844) 244-7871.
Tulane Law Clinics - provides legal services for cases involving civil, criminal and juvenile litigation, domestic violence, environmental justice, and legislative and administrative advocacy at The Public Law Center serving indigent clients. See website for specific programs and their contact information.