Free Legal Aid in Baltimore

American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland

Areas of Law: Discrimination, Election and Voting, Freedom Speech, Freedom of Religion, Immigration Rights, LGBT Rights, Privacy, Police Practices, Jail and Prison Conditions, and other issues of fair treatment by government.

Good to Know: The ACLU does not have walk-in appointments. They take a very limited number of cases based on alleged civil rights violations.  For consideration, call the Civil Complaint Line above or send a 1-2 page letter describing your legal issue via mail or fax only.

Jewish Legal Services

Areas of Law: General Civil Law Matters

Good to Know: JLS is a walk-in legal clinic for low-income. Lawyers offer advice on a variety of civil legal issues including consumer/bankruptcy, landlord-tenant, family, and immigration questions.

Legal Aid Bureau of Maryland (Baltimore City)

Baltimore County
29 W. Susquehanna Ave. Suite 305,
Towson, MD 21204
(410) 427-1800

Areas of Law: Most areas of general civil law.

Good to Know: This is a nonprofit legal agency serving low-income, children, and elderly residents of Maryland. There is no fee for legal services if you qualify.

Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service

Areas of Law: Adult Guardianship, Bankruptcy, Child Custody, Collections, Consumer Disputes, Criminal Record Expungement, Deed Changes, Denial of Public Benefits, Divorce, Foreclosure, Landlord/Tenant, Living Wills, Name Changes, Power of Attorney, School Suspensions, Taxes, and Wills.

Good to Know: MVLS provides free legal representation low-income residents in civil legal matters. Eligible clients are matched with a volunteer lawyer.

Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

Area of Law: Various civil matters, including contracts and negotiations, taxes and tax-exempt status, incorporation, copyrights and trademarks, small claims, and landlord/tenant.

Good to Know: MDVLA provides free or reduced fee legal assistance to arts organizations and visual, performing and literary artists. Clients must meet certain income requirements to qualify for representation, and there is a small administrative fee.

NAACP

Areas of Law: Civil Rights, Employment, Housing, Public Benefits, Police Misconduct, and more.

Good to Know: Legal services are available to low-income African Americans and other minority groups.

Debtor Assistance Project

Area of Law: Bankruptcy, Foreclosure

Good to Know: DAP is a legal clinic that provides debtors with an opportunity to meet, one-on-one, with a volunteer bankruptcy attorney for a free half-hour consultation. The DAP provides legal advice to individuals without an attorney by answering their questions about bankruptcy, including how bankruptcy may be used to help prevent foreclosure. The DAP Attorney’s cannot complete paperwork or represent you.

Maryland Disability Law Center

Area of Law: Disability Rights

Good to Know: This office provides free legal assistance to disabled persons regardless of income. 

Multi-Ethnic Domestic Violence Project

Areas of Law: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Family Law including Adjustment of Status, Consular Processing, Employment authorization, Family-based petitions, U visas, and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions.

Good to Know: MEDOVI provides legal assistance to Maryland residents who are foreign born victims of domestic violence or sexual assault.

House of Ruth

Area of Law: Domestic Violence, Protective Orders, Divorce, Child Custody and Support.

Good to Know: This is a free legal aid clinic operated in the Baltimore City District Courthouse.

Employment Law Hotline (ELH)

Area of Law: Employment, Discrimination, Worker’s Rights, Sexual Harassment, and more.

Good to Know: This is a statewide employment hotline. Volunteer attorneys answer questions via telephone only.

CASA de Maryland

Area of Law: Employment, Worker’s Rights, Housing

Good to Know: CASA provides legal help to Latinos and their families. They represent day laborers, domestic workers, and tenants in cases such as nonpayment of wages; minimum wage and overtime violations; unlawful wage deductions; discriminatory employment practices; retaliatory discharges; and involuntary servitude.

Baltimore Neighborhoods, Inc.

Area of Law: Tenant/Landlord, Housing

Good to Know: This is a free legal aid hotline for tenants and landlords counseling. Representatives cannot provide legal referrals.

Catholic Charities Immigration Services

Areas of Law: Immigration, Removal Proceedings, Asylum, Family-based petitions, Trafficking, crime victim, and domestic violence-based immigration applications, visa processing and more.

Good to Know: They may charge a nominal fee for most services. Domestic violence victims will not be charged a fee.

Free State Legal Project

Area of Law: LGBT Rights, Discrimination, Wills and Trusts, Family Law, Name and Gender Changes

Good to Know: This organization provides free and reduced fee legal services to low-income lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals who are experiencing legal problems stemming from their sexual orientation.

Legal Aid Bureau Senior Hotline

Areas of Law: Public Benefits, Long-term Care, Neglect, Home Ownership, Medicare, Utilities, Landlord-Tenant, Consumer

Good to Know: The Senior Legal Helpline is a free telephone service for Maryland residents age 60 and over. They do not provide help with criminal law, personal injury, or traffic court cases.

Women’s Law Center

Area of Law: Civil, Domestic Violence, Employment, Family and Assistance with Legal Forms.

Good to Know: The Women’s Law Center operates several clinics and legal hotlines throughout Baltimore City and County. Call for more information.

University of Baltimore Civil Advocacy Clinic

Area of Law: Housing and Tenant, Unemployment, Defense of Contract Claims, Juvenile, Guardianships, Public Benefits

Good to Know: Law students represent low-income clients in a variety of civil matters before courts and administrative agencies. The clinic does not accept walk-ins. Call for intake information.

University of Baltimore Family Law Clinic

Area of Law: Domestic Violence, Family Law

Good to Know: The clinic does not accept walk-ins. Call for intake information.

University of Maryland Immigration Clinic

Areas of Law: Immigration, Domestic Violence

Good to Know: The Clinic sponsors a free consultation program for individuals who are in removal (deportation) proceedings in the Baltimore Immigration Court. On Immigration attorneys provide free consultations on a first come, first served basis.

University of Maryland Law Clinic Program

Area of Law: Domestic Violence, Family Law

Good to Know: Law students under the supervision of attorneys represent low-income family law clients. Call for intake procedures.