Pro Bono Lawyers and Attorneys in California
Where to ask for pro bono legal services or a free attorney in California, including legal aid programs, who qualifies, and other free or low-cost help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
Where to ask for a free lawyer or attorney
| Pro bono and legal aid programs | The State Bar of California funds legal aid organizations serving residents with low and moderate incomes, and points people to LawHelpCalifornia.org to find local help. Its 2025 grant recipients include volunteer lawyer and pro bono groups such as the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program, (619) 235-5656, which serves San Diego County; Capital Pro Bono in Sacramento; LACBA Counsel for Justice and Public Counsel in Los Angeles; and the Justice & Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco. Free Legal Help: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Need-Legal-Help/Free-Legal-Help. San Diego program: https://www.sdvlp.org/ |
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| Who qualifies | California's courts say that eligibility for legal aid "will depend on your income and type of legal problem." The State Bar says the organizations it funds serve residents with "low and moderate incomes." Neither page gives a dollar limit; limits vary by program. State Bar: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Need-Legal-Help/Free-Legal-Help |
| Cases covered | The courts describe legal aid as covering "non-criminal cases." The State Bar says the organizations it funds focus on issues "from custody and family law to disability rights and veterans benefits." The San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program lists family law and domestic violence, guardianship, restraining orders, landlord and tenant matters including eviction, foster youth education advocacy and HIV/AIDS legal services, among others. San Diego program: https://www.sdvlp.org/ |
Other free or low-cost help
| Does the bar's referral service find free lawyers? | California's courts say State Bar lawyer referral services "offer lists of lawyers who can meet with you for 30 minutes for a small fee (around $40.00)" and describe them under free or low-cost options. |
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| Free legal aid | All California superior courts have free legal self-help programs, where staff give legal information and help with forms but cannot represent you. For non-criminal cases, legal services programs give free or low-cost help depending on your income and type of problem; use LawHelpCalifornia.org to find local legal aid offices. LSC-funded legal aid organizations in California include Bay Area Legal Aid, California Indian Legal Services, California Rural Legal Assistance, Central California Legal Services, Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Inland Counties Legal Services, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Community Legal Aid SoCal, Legal Aid Society of San Diego, Legal Services of Northern California and Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
| Lawyer referral service | The State Bar of California does not run its own referral service ("the State Bar is not a Lawyer Referral Service"); it certifies lawyer referral services that meet standards approved by the California Supreme Court. A certified service can help you decide whether you need a lawyer and, where available, refer you to a local lawyer in good standing with professional liability insurance who handles your type of problem; you do not have to hire that lawyer. "Lawyers referred to you will offer you an initial consultation for a reduced fee or no fee." Find a certified service with the State Bar's online directory by county, area of law and language. The California Courts self-help guide says referral services typically list lawyers who meet for 30 minutes for a small fee (around $40). Courts self-help guide: https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/get-free-or-low-cost-legal-help |
All legal help in California · What is a pro bono lawyer? · Pro bono lawyers in other states
Last verified against official sources: November 4, 2026.
How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources
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.