Free Legal Aid in Tacoma
Last updated: December 16, 2013
Do you have a legal issue in Pierce County, but no money to hire an attorney? Findlaw can help. We’ve done the research and found several free or low-cost legal service options residents in Tacoma. The main provider is through the volunteer legal assistance program run by the bar association called Tacoma-Pierce County Volunteer Legal Services Program.
There may be income limits that apply for you to qualify for free/low-cost help. Contact the specific agency to learn more. Below is a list of several organizations available to help you.
General Law
-
American Civil Liberties Union of Washington
901 Fifth Avenue
Suite 630
Seattle, WA 98164
Tel: (206) 624-2180Areas 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 issue, consumer complaints, landlord-tenant disputes, building code issues and complaints about lawyers or judges. Click here to submit an online request for legal services.
-
CLEAR Legal Referral Service
Coordinated Legal Education, Advice, and Referral (CLEAR)
Tel: (888) 201-1014Areas of Law: Civil
Good to Know: CLEAR is Washington’s centralized intake, advice and referral service for low-income people seeking free legal assistance with civil legal problems.
You can begin the screening process by calling our toll-free phone number or through CLEAR Online.
-
Lakewood Pro Bono Clinic at MSM
Multicultural Self-Sufficiency Movement (MSM)
3820 Steilacoom Boulevard Southwest
Tacoma, WA 98402
Tel: (253) 584-5615Areas of Law: Civil
Good to Know: This free legal service is by appointment only. Both Korean and Russian interpreters are available at the MSM clinic
-
Moderate Means Program - State Bar of Washington
1325 Fourth Avenue
Suite 600
Seattle, WA 98101
Tel: (855) 741-6930Areas of Law: Consumer, Family, and Landlord/Tenant
Good to Know: This is a legal referral service run by the Washington State Bar for middle-income individuals. They assist people whose income is too high to qualify for free legal services, but too low to pay a lawyer’s standard rate. The Program connects people whose income is within 200–400% of the Federal Poverty Level to lawyers who offer legal help at reduced fees (usually $50 to $150 an hour).
-
Tacoma-Pierce County Volunteer Legal Services Program
21 Tacoma Avenue South
Suite 303
Tacoma, WA 98402
Tel: (253) 572-5134Areas of Law: Civil, Landlord-Tenant, Family Law, Foreclosure
Good to Know: This is a program run by the state bar. They provide direct legal services free of charge to those who qualify based on income guidelines. They also have rotating legal clinics staffed by volunteer attorneys. You don’t need to be a resident of Pierce County, but your case must be here.
Criminal Record Expungement
-
Evergreen State College, Tacoma Law Club
The Evergreen State College
1210 6th Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98405
Tel: (253) 572-5134Areas of Law: Criminal Record Expungement
Good to Know: The Law Club has partnered with Volunteer Legal Services to bring this program to the community. Attorneys can help with sealing, vacating, and deletion of criminal records. Lawyers are provided thru Volunteer Legal Services by way of the Pierce County Bar Association. Call to learn dates and times.
Domestic Violence and Family Law
-
Crystal Judson Family Justice Center
718 Court East
Tacoma, WA 98402
Tel: (253) 798-4310Areas of Law: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, Restraining Orders
Good to Know: This organization helps victims of domestic violence with restraining orders, family law issues, and other civil legal matters related to your situation. No appointment is necessary.
-
YMCA Legal Line
YMCA Pierce County
405 Broadway
Tacoma, WA 98402
Tel: (253) 365-6352Areas of Law: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking
Good to Know: This organization helps victims of domestic violence with restraining orders, family law issues, and other civil legal matters related to your situation.
HIV/AIDS
-
Piece County AIDS Foundation
3520 South Pine Street
Tacoma, WA 98409
Tel: (253) 383-2565Areas of Law: Wills
Good to Know: This organization provides free estate planning & other civil legal needs to HIV+ clients.
Immigration
-
Northwest Immigrants Rights Project
402 Tacoma Ave South
Suite 300
Tacoma, WA 98402
Tel: (253) 383-0519Areas of Law: Immigration, Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking
Good to Know: This organization provides direct legal services to low-income immigrants and their families. Call to learn more.
Landlord Tenant
-
Landlord-Tenant Services
747 Market Street
Room 250
Tacoma, WA 98402
Tel: (253) 591-5163Areas of Law: Landlord/Tenant Disputes
Good to Know: This organization helps people to understand landlord / tenant laws and can help individuals to negotiate with their landlord if he/she is not following correct legal procedures.