Free Legal Aid in Buffalo
Last updated: November 25, 2013
One of Buffalo’s several nicknames is “The City of Good Neighbors.” Without bragging too much, we live up to that nickname with the multiple organizations and private attorneys that offer free and reduced cost legal aid for our neighbors in and around Erie County.
If you’ve lived here for a while, this comes as no surprise, as Buffalonians frequently show themselves to be a giving bunch. The City that has given the world so much, including electric city lights and world famous chicken wings, continues its tradition by giving quality legal assistance. FindLaw does its part by helping you find the helping hands.
Buffalo Legal Aid Providers
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Neighborhood Legal Services
237 Main Street
4th Floor
Buffalo, NY 14203
Tel: (716) 847-0665NLS offers free legal services to Erie County residents with low incomes. The organization also provides services to individuals with disabilities throughout Western New York. Legal work often arises in public benefits, housing, disability, and family law.
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Legal Services for the Elderly, Disabled, or Disadvantaged in Western New York
237 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14203
Tel: (716) 853-3087Legal Services staff and volunteers conduct home visits and legal workshops aimed at helping the region’ elderly, disabled, and low income populations. Most clients are over age 60, but the organization helps younger people with disabilities and low incomes as well. The law practice covers foreclosure defense, health care, landlord-tenant disputes, tax law, and grandparents’ rights issues.
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Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo
237 Main Street
Suite 1602
Buffalo, NY 14203
Tel: (716) 853-9555The Legal Aid Bureau has multiple divisions which assist clients in matters related to government benefits, child support, housing, bankruptcy, domestic violence, and more. The organization provides a mixture of direct representation, community legal education, and assistance for self-represented litigants. For more information, see the organization’s Snapshot of Accomplishments.
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Bar Association of Erie County
438 Main Street
6th Floor
Buffalo, NY 14202
Tel: (716) 852-8687The Erie Bar offers multiple forms of public services. Visit the website for information on the Elder Law Fair, Statement of Clients’ Rights, Volunteer Lawyers Project, and other forms of legal assistance. If free or low-cost services are not available to you, contact the Lawyer Referral and Information Service, (716) 852-3100. The Erie Bar will help you (1) determine if your issue actually requires the help of a lawyer, and (2) find a lawyer practicing in that subject.
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Catholic Charities of Western New York
Immigration and Refugee Assistance Program
20 Herkimer Street
Buffalo, NY 14213
Tel: (716) 842-0270The immigration and refugee service assists local immigrants with matters related to asylum, family reunification, U Visa’s and other similar immigration activity. Contact the program for more information.
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Martin P. Violante Alternative Dispute Resolution Program
8th Judicial District, Erie County Court Building
25 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
Tel: (716) 845-9336The program refers cases to neutral legal professionals who help litigants settle their disputes. The program covers civil, commercial, family court, and matrimonial maters. For more information on Buffalo court services, see FindLaw’s resource page dedicated to Buffalo courthouses.
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8th District Court Help Center
Supreme Court Law Library
77 W. Eagle Street
Buffalo, NY 14202
Tel: (716) 845-1816The Help Center provides information to make it easier to fill out forms, find court and government buildings, and initiate and respond to a legal action.
Help for Students
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Sub Board I, Inc. Legal Assistance
377 Student Union
SUNY at Buffalo
Amherst, NY 14260
Tel: (716) 645-3056The organization offers consultations with attorneys regarding legal matters that students frequently face: landlord-tenant disputes, traffic and criminal violations, student debt, and more. The organization’s Student Defender program works to inform SUNY Buffalo students of their rights when the students face disciplinary proceedings under the student code of conduct.
Additional Help
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Office of the Chief Immigration Judge
130 Delaware Avenue
Suite 410
Buffalo, NY 14202
The office maintains a Free Legal Services Providers List. The list shows private attorneys and organizations from across the state that assist clients in immigration matters—often for free or at a reduced cost. Several providers are located in the Buffalo area.