Free Legal Aid in Anchorage

American Civil Liberties Union

Areas of Law: Criminal Justice, Cyber Liberties, Discrimination, Election and Voting, Free Speech, LGBT Rights, Immigrant Rights, National Security, Police Practices, Poverty Rights, Prisons, Privacy, Reproductive Freedom and Youth Rights.

Good to Know: The ACLU does not usually assist in the following types of cases: criminal defense or post-conviction appeals, divorce or child custody disputes, property disputes, tax problems, consumer complaints, landlord-tenant disputes, building code issues and complaints about lawyers or judges.

Alaska Legal Services Corporation

Areas of Law: Consumer, Education, Employment, Family Law, Juvenile, Health Care, Housing, Public Benefits, Individual Rights, and other miscellaneous cases.

Good to Know: This is the main provider of low-cost legal aid in the state. ALSC is prohibited from handling certain types of representation: (1) class actions; (2) criminal defense; (3) representation of prisoners in any type of case; (4) representation of undocumented non-citizens, with an exception if the case involves domestic violence or trafficking.

Alaska Lawyer Referral Service

Areas of Law: Bankruptcy, Business, Consumer, Criminal, Employment, Estate Planning, Family, Immigration, Personal Injury, Real Estate and more. Click here for a complete list.

Good to Know: The Alaska Lawyer Referral Service is comprised of lawyers who have signed up to be listed on a state bar approved list. These attorneys are not free, but will provide a 30-minute consultation for $125.

Disability Law Center of Alaska

Good to Know: This office handles disability-related issues including social security benefits, employment discrimination, Medicaid/Medicare appeals, housing discrimination, financial exploitation, access to appropriate special education programs, physical barriers/access to businesses or services and access to voting.

Alaskan Native Justice Center

Areas of Law: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Family Law

Good to Know: The ANJC provides advocacy and support services to low-income victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

The Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Pro Bono Program

Good to Know: ANDVSA provides free attorneys to some domestic violence victims, primarily in divorce and custody cases but also in other civil matters. Please note, this agency does not provide crisis services.

Family Law Self Help Center

Areas of Law: Abuse, Health Care, Public Benefits

Good to Know: The Self-Help Center does not provide legal advice or represent you in court. Staff does not see clients in the office, but only provides legal help on the phone.

Alaska Immigration Justice Project

Areas of Law: Immigration, Asylum, Citizenship,  Deportation defense, Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault/Human Trafficking, Employment Visas, Family-Based Visa Petitions, Detainees Rights.

Good to Know: Call the office to schedule an individual consultation.

American Legion-Alaska Service Office

Areas of Law: Public Benefits, Housing, Pension

Good to Know: The office provides assistance to veterans, their families’ dependents, and widows in working with the Veterans Administration and filing for benefits. They provide benefits experts to assist in processing veteran claims for compensation, pension, medical care, education, job training, employment, veterans preference, housing, death and burial benefits, and other benefits.

Unbundled Legal Services

Good to Know: The Alaska State Bar keeps a list of attorneys who provide limited legal services to clients. This is called "unbundled services." Basically instead of hiring an attorney for full representation, the client would hire the attorney to perform a specific service that they both agree upon. Fees vary based upon the individual lawyer. Examples of the services include:

• Giving legal advice and strategizing for the case
• Reviewing correspondence and court papers
• Preparing documents to be filed in the court
• Negotiating with the opposing party or their attorney
• Doing legal research and analysis
• Planning for court appearances