Free Legal Help for Tenants and Landlords in Louisiana

Legal aid organizations, right-to-counsel programs and official court self-help resources in Louisiana, gathered from the state, county and city pages on this site.

Right to a free lawyer in eviction cases

Statewide: No statewide right to counsel in eviction cases was found in the Code of Civil Procedure eviction title. La. C.C.P. arts. 4701-4735 (checked in part)

Orleans Parish (New Orleans): In May 2022 the New Orleans City Council passed a tenant Right to Counsel ordinance (the city and Orleans Parish are coterminous); free representation is provided through SLLS and the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center for eligible tenants. Source
Baton Rouge: No. No right-to-counsel program for tenants was found.
New Orleans: Yes, a right to counsel for residential tenants facing eviction, subject to funding (City Code Ch. 50, Art. V). Source

Free legal aid organizations

Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) — Free legal help for eligible tenants facing eviction; New Orleans office (504) 529-1000; a provider under the New Orleans right-to-counsel ordinance.
Serves: Orleans Parish (New Orleans)
Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center - Eviction Defense — Eviction defense; (504) 596-2100 or (877) 445-2100 (listed on the court's rental-assistance page).
Serves: Orleans Parish (New Orleans)
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) - Baton Rouge office — Serves East Baton Rouge Parish; helps tenants facing eviction. 715 St. Ferdinand St., Baton Rouge; local (225) 448-0080, intake (225) 448-0331.
Serves: East Baton Rouge Parish (Baton Rouge)
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) - Gretna office — Serves Jefferson Parish; helps tenants facing eviction. 401 Whitney Ave., Suite 520, Gretna; (504) 374-0977 / (800) 624-4771.
Serves: Jefferson Parish (Metairie)
Acadiana Legal Service Corporation - Shreveport office — Free civil legal help for eligible low-income residents, including wrongful-eviction defense. 720 Travis Street, Shreveport, LA 71101; intake 1-866-ASK-ALSC (1-866-275-2572).
Serves: Caddo Parish (Shreveport)
Acadiana Legal Service Corporation — Free civil legal help for eligible low-income residents, including wrongful-eviction defense. Lafayette/Administrative office, 1020 Surrey Street, Lafayette, LA 70501 (listed as temporarily closed for repairs; staff working remotely). Intake 1-866-ASK-ALSC (1-866-275-2572).
Serves: Lafayette Parish (Lafayette)
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) - Covington office — St. Tammany is among the parishes SLLS serves. Covington office: 195 Greenbriar Blvd, Ste. 201, Covington, LA 70433; (985) 893-0076 or toll-free (800) 891-0076. Intake line 1-844-244-7871 (leave name, phone, parish and a short description; response within two business days).
Serves: St. Tammany Parish
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services - Hammond Office — 200 Guidry Dr., Hammond, LA 70403 (also SLLS corporate headquarters). Free civil legal aid, including housing help, for low-income residents of Hammond and surrounding parishes.
Serves: Tangipahoa Parish

Find a tenant or eviction lawyer in Louisiana

If you do not qualify for free legal aid, a bar lawyer referral service can match you with a landlord-tenant lawyer for a low-cost first consultation.

Louisiana State Bar Association - Lawyer Referral and Information (points to Lafayette Bar Association referral) — (337) 237-4700 (Lafayette Bar Association)

Official court and state resources

Legal aid groups set their own eligibility rules (usually income-based). Call ahead or check their site.

← Louisiana landlord-tenant law · Legal help in other states

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.