Free Legal Aid in Nashville

American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee

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 usually assist in the following types of cases: criminal defense or post-conviction appeals, divorce or child custody disputes, property disputes, tax problems, workers compensation issues, consumer complaints, landlord-tenant disputes, building code issues and complaints about lawyers or judges. To apply for services, fill out an intake form.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands

Areas of Law: Adoption, Bankruptcy, Child support Collection / Modification, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Driver's License Problems, Eviction, Foreclosure, Garnishment, Guardianship, Landlord Repairs, Paternity, Public Housing, Social Security Disability Income & Overpayments, Tax

Good to Know: This agency takes cases from Davidson and Williamson counties only. They do not handle criminal cases, but will assist domestic violence victims.

Nashville Bar Association/Dial-A-Lawyer

Good to Know: The Bar Association conducts a public Dial-A-Lawyer program on the first Tuesday of each month, between 6pm and 8pm. Volunteer attorneys from the Nashville Bar Association answer your general legal questions.

Disability Law & Advocacy Center of Tennessee

Areas of Law: Disability, Domestic Violence, Abuse, Neglect, Public Benefits

Good to Know: This is a statewide service providing assistance and referrals to legal service agencies. Call to learn intake procedures.

YMCA Nashville

Areas of Law: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault

Good to Know: YMCA provides services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Programs include Crisis Services, hospital advocacy, shelter, counseling, support groups, and an empowerment program. They will also help you fill out court forms and accompany you to court.

Workers’ Dignity Project (WDP)/Dignidad Obrera

Good to Know: Legal help for low-wage workers to recover wages and improve workplace conditions.

Tennessee Justice Center

Good to Know: This agency assists low-income families with access to health care, particularly with the Affordable Healthcare Act and policy issues and civil cases in which basic necessities are at stake.

Catholic Charities of Tennessee

Area of Law: Immigration, Naturalization

Good to Know: This organization provides low-cost legal representation for those persons submitting an application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).

Southern Migrant Legal Services

Area of Law: Immigration

Good to Know: This is a free legal services to migrant and seasonal farm workers.

The Nashville office serves the following states: Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas.

Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts

Area of Law: Artists Rights, Nonprofit, Contracts, Copyright issues

Good to Know: VLPA helps both artists and arts organization.

Vanderbilt University Law School Clinic

Areas of Law: Civil, Criminal

Good to Know: The clinic provides free representation for a limited number of individuals and organizations that could not otherwise afford representation. Cases are only accepted certain times of the year. Call for consideration.