{"id":371868,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:30","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/california-law\/free-legal-aid-in-san-francisco.html"},"modified":"2024-12-27T16:16:50","modified_gmt":"2024-12-27T21:16:50","slug":"free-legal-aid-in-san-francisco","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/free-legal-aid-in-san-francisco.html","title":{"rendered":"Free Legal Aid in San Francisco"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Free Legal Aid in San Francisco<\/h1>\n
\n
\n

Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

San Franciscans have many options when looking for free or low-cost legal assistance. If you\u2019re local, you know how difficult driving around \u2018The City\u2019 can be. Many of the services are located along public transit lines and near San Francisco\u2019s many courthouses.<\/p>\n

Residents are a short MUNI or BART ride away from the government offices and public interest organizations that give ordinary citizens access to justice. If you are (1) looking for representation, (2) need help representing yourself, or (3) aren\u2019t sure but you have a legal emergency, here is a guide to the many services SF has to offer. Finally, scroll down to see a thorough list of legal services aimed designed for specific groups of individuals.<\/p>\n

Starting Out<\/u><\/h2>\n

San Francisco Law Library<\/h3>

\nThe SF law library is a great place to start when looking for free and low-cost legal help. The law library maintains a web page listing services by topic<\/a> and services for specific groups of people<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

Help With Representation<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
  • \n

    \n \n Bay Area Legal Aid (\u201cBayLegal\u201d)\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    1035 Market Street, 6th Floor<\/p>\n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n 94103<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (415) 982-1300\n \n \n <\/p>\n

    \n

    Legal Assistance Line:  (415) 354-6360<\/p>\n

    Toll Free Number:  (800) 551-5554<\/p>\n

    BayLegal tends to focus on domestic violence, family law, housing, health care, and public benefits issues. The organization will refer you if it is unable to help you with your issue. The office is conveniently located near the Civic Center Station.  Parking can be hard-to-find and risky. Public Transit is usually the best way to arrive.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

  • \n

    \n \n Bar Association of San Francisco\u2019s Lawyer Referral and Information Service\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n \n \n <\/p>\n

    \n

    Call (415) 989-1616 or request a referral online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    The L.R.I.S. offers low-cost help from local attorneys experienced in a wide range of areas. Clients typically only pay $35 for a referral and a 30 minute consultation. If you have been injured, the referral and consultation are usually free.<\/p>\n

    Federal Pro Bono Project<\/h3>\n

    A federal court may refer you to a free, Pro Bono attorney for help with civil cases, including: employment discrimination, police misconduct, and foreclosure. An attorney may help you with the full scope of your case or individual aspects. If you are have already been assigned to a Judge or a Magistrate, ask about the Federal Pro Bono Project.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    \n

    Information and Legal Advice<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
  • \n

    \n \n ACCESS Center, SF Superior Court\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    400 McAllister St., Room 509<\/p>\n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n 94102<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n \n \n <\/p>\n

    \n

    Getting There: Take public transit to Civic Center Station. If driving, there are several parking garages nearby.<\/p>\n

    The ACCESS Center helps individuals in Family Law and Civil Law matters. It is completely free, but you may have to pay for photocopies and filing fees.  Visitors with low-income may be able to file for free. ACCESS Center cannot provide you with a lawyer, and the staff cannot help you if you already have one. The center also provides this flyer for community legal referrals<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

  • \n

    \n \n Bar Association of San Francisco\u2019s Legal Advice and Referral Clinic\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    U.C. Hastings College of the Law, 198 McAllister St., 1st Floor (At Hyde), Louis B. Mayer Lounge<\/p>\n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n 94102<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n \n \n <\/p>\n

    \n

    Getting There: U.C. Hastings is located one block from the Civic Center Station. The school operates a parking garage at Larkin and Golden Gate.  Enter on the Larkin side. Approach from the south because Larkin is a one-way street.<\/p>\n

    Providence Baptist Church of San Francisco
    \n1601 McKinnon Avenue (at Mendell)
    \nSan Francisco, CA 94124<\/p>\n

    Getting There: Providence B.C. is located near the 23, 24, and 44 Bus Lines.  Street parking is available. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n

  • \n

    \n \n B.A.S.F.’s Justice & Diversity Center\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    450 Golden Gate Avenue, 15th Floor, Room 2796<\/p>\n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n 94102<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n \n \n <\/p>\n

    \n

    Getting There:  The office is near the Civic Center Station. Several parking structures nearby.<\/p>\n

    The J.D.C. offers information and advice to individuals representing themselves in federal court.  The staff attorney can help you prepare simple court filings and refer you to other services.  The staff attorney is available by appointment only.  Sign up in person or call (415) 782-8982.  <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    \n

    Urgent Legal Help<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
  • \n

    \n Eviction Defense Collaborative\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    995 Market Street, Suite 1200<\/p>\n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n 94103<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (415) 947-0797\n \n \n <\/p>\n \n <\/li>\n

  • \n

    \n \n Tenants Together\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    Tenants Together offers help to people who rent in buildings in foreclosure.<\/p>\n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (415) 495-8100\n \n \n <\/p>\n \n <\/li>\n

  • \n

    \n \n Cooperative Restraining Order Clinic\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    C.R.O.C. helps domestic violence victims apply for restraining orders. The staff operates by appointments only.<\/p>\n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (415) 255-0165\n \n \n <\/p>\n \n <\/li>\n

  • \n

    \n \n Legal Assistance to the Elderly\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    995 Market Street (at Sixth), Suite 1400<\/p>\n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n 94103<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (415) 538-3333\n \n \n <\/p>\n

    \n

    L.A.E. offers help with housing, public benefits, elder abuse, and simple wills to clients who are over age 60 and have a disability.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n

  • \n

    \n \n Lawyers\u2019 Committee for Civil Rights\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    131 Steuart Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n 94105<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (415) 543-9444\n \n \n <\/p>\n

    \n

    The Lawyers\u2019 Committee offers help in many kinds of civil rights cases, including immigration and asylum cases.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    \n

    Legal Assistance for Specific Groups<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n
  • \n

    \n \n AIDS Legal Referral Panel\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    1663 Mission Street, Suite 500<\/p>\n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n 94103<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n \n \n <\/p>\n

    \n

    (415) 701-1100
    \n(415) 701-1200<\/p>\n

    ALRP staff and attorneys usually handle most civil legal issues including:  bankruptcy, employment discrimination, estate planning, family law, housing, and insurance claims.  In addition to referring clients to volunteer attorneys, ALRP has programs to educate clients on health and legal issues. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/li>\n

  • \n

    \n \n Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    1121 Mission Street<\/p>\n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n 94103<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n \n \n <\/p>\n

    \n

    info@apilegaloutreach.org<\/a><\/p>\n

    API Legal Outreach works with clients in many Asian languages and dialects. The organization largely focuses on domestic violence, immigration, senior law, human trafficking, and public benefits.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

  • \n

    \n \n La Raza Centro Legal, Inc.\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    474 Valencia St. #295<\/p>\n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n 94103<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (415) 575-3500\n \n \n <\/p>\n

    \n

    info@lrcl.org<\/a><\/p>\n

    La Raza Centro Legal represents English- and Spanish speaking clients in immigration, workers\u2019 rights, and senior law issues.  <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

  • \n

    \n \n Homeless Advocacy Project \n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    1360 Mission Street (between Ninth and Tenth), Suite 201<\/p>\n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n 94102<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (800) 405-4427\n \n \n <\/p>\n

    \n

    HAP provides legal and social services to people and families who are homeless or may soon become homeless. Common issues include: disability benefits, eviction defense, and immigration documentation.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n

  • \n

    \n \n Legal Services for Children\n <\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n \n

    1254 Market St., 3rd Floor<\/p>\n \n

    \n San Francisco,<\/span>\n CA<\/span>\n 94102<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n Tel: (415) 863-3762\n \n \n <\/p>\n

    \n

    L.S.C. provides free legal services to people under age 18. Typical issues include: guardianship, school discipline, foster care, emancipation, and immigration.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    \n \n Was this helpful?<\/span>\n \n Yes<\/span>\n \n \n \n <\/path>\n <\/g>\n \n \n <\/rect>\n <\/clipPath>\n <\/defs>\n <\/svg>\n <\/i>\n <\/button>\n \n No<\/span>\n \n \n \n \n <\/g>\n \n \n \n <\/clipPath>\n <\/defs>\n <\/svg>\n <\/i>\n <\/button>\n <\/div>\n <\/span>\n