Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer
Please enter a legal issue and/or a location
Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select

Free Legal Aid in Philadelphia

Last updated: September 26, 2013

Many organizations offer free or low-cost help with your legal matters, proving that Philly really is “The City That Loves You Back.” Most of these organizations will be located in the 19102 and 19107 zip codes so they will be accessible by public transportation and close to City Hall, The Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice and other Philadelphia courthouses.

This guide will help you:  (1) Find someone to represent you (2) get information or (3) find other possible resources.  Finally, scroll to the bottom for a list of more specialized legal service providers. 

Find Someone To Represent You

  • Community Legal Services of Philadelphia (C.L.S.)

    1424 Chestnut St.
    Philadelphia,     PA 19102
    Tel: (215) 981-3700

  • C.L.S. (North Philly Office)

    1410 W. Erie Avenue
    Philadelphia,     PA 19140
    Tel: (215) 227-2400

    C.L.S. helps clients who have lower incomes with a variety of issues including: Benefits, Criminal Records, Disability, Domestic Violence, Employment, Housing, and many others.  C.L.S. provides free interpreters in Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Arabic, Korean, Bengal, Traditional Chinese, and several other languages. 

  • Philadelphia Legal Assistance

    42 S. 15th Street. Suite 500
    Philadelphia,     PA 19102
    Tel: (215) 981-3800

    P.L.A. provides help to clients with incomes at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Guideline.  P.L.A. provides a chart to determine if you are eligible for free assistance.  If you qualify for free assistance, P.L.A. may be able to represent you through its: (1) Pennsylvania Farmwork Project; (2) Public Benefit Unit; (3) Consumer Housing Unit; or (4) Family Law Unit.  Call ahead of time, and P.L.A. will provide an interpreter for you. 

  • Philadelphia VIP

    1500 Walnut Street, Suite 400
    Philadelphia,     PA 19102
    Tel: (215) 523-9550

    Philadelphia VIP accepts cases that have been referred by Community Legal Services, Philadelphia Legal Assistance, and other service organizations.  VIP handles many sorts of cases including: child support, employment, tax, disability, housing, child custody, special education, immigration, and many more.  VIP clients must have an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.

  • Defender Association of Philadelphia

    1441 Sansom Street
    Philadelphia,     PA 19102
    Tel: (215) 568-3190

    The Defender Association of Philadelphia is a collection of attorneys that represent people who cannot afford an attorney in their criminal and mental health proceedings.  They are sometimes known as Public Defenders.  This organization is different from other free legal service providers because only the Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Court may appoint counsel.  For more information on how a Public Defender may be able to help you, call the office or check their list of clients’ frequently asked questions.

    •

Specialized Legal Help

Was this helpful?

You Don’t Have To Solve This on Your Own – Get a Lawyer’s Help

Meeting with a lawyer can help you understand your options and how to best protect your rights. Visit our attorney directory to find a lawyer near you who can help.

Or contact an attorney near you:
Copied to clipboard

Find a Lawyer

More Options