Find a Lawyer or Free Legal Help in Michigan

Official places in Michigan to find a lawyer through the bar's referral service or to get free civil legal help if you have a low income. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.

Lawyer referral service	The State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service matches people who can afford to hire a lawyer with a participating panel lawyer; a referral assistant matches you by type of matter and area. Per the program rules (May 2023), the service "charges a $25 administrative fee" and the panelist "will provide up to a 25-minute initial consultation free of charge"; the fee is waived for residential tenants, Social Security claimants, workers' compensation claimants and personal injury plaintiffs. Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m., Monday-Friday. A Modest Means Program connects moderate-income people with attorneys offering reduced-cost help. Program rules: https://www.michbar.org/file/lrs/lrs-programrules.pdf Source: State Bar of Michigan, Legal Resource & Referral Center; Lawyer Referral Service Program Rules (May 2023)
Free legal aid	Michigan's LSC-funded legal aid organizations give free civil legal help to eligible low-income people: Lakeshore Legal Aid, Legal Aid of Western Michigan, Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Michigan Advocacy Program and Michigan Indian Legal Services. Source: Legal Services Corporation, Our Grantees
Check discipline history or file a complaint	Complaints (Requests for Investigation) about Michigan lawyers go to the Attorney Grievance Commission. Anyone may file, using the AGC form or a signed letter describing the misconduct with approximate time and place and any documents (unbound, unstapled). Requests are not accepted electronically or by fax; mail them to the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, 755 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 2100, Troy, MI 48084. Intake decides whether the lawyer must respond or dismisses (you may ask for reconsideration); after investigation the Commission may close the file, issue a consensual admonition, place the lawyer on contractual probation, or authorize formal charges before the Attorney Discipline Board, and notifies the parties in writing. A lawyer's public disciplinary record can be requested from the Commission. Phone: 313-961-6585. Source: Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, For the Public
Rules on contingency fees	A contingent fee is allowed except where Rule 1.5(d) or other law prohibits it. The agreement must be in writing and state how the fee will be determined; at the end, the lawyer must give a written statement of the outcome and, if there is a recovery, the client's share and how it was figured. Michigan Court Rule 8.121 adds requirements for some contingent fee agreements. Lawyers may not charge a criminal defendant a contingent fee, or charge a domestic relations fee contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony, support or property settlement, or based on the lawyer's success, results obtained, value added or any factor that leaves the client unable to discern how the fee is determined. Source: Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5(c)-(d)
If a lawyer takes your money	The State Bar of Michigan Client Protection Fund reimburses clients harmed by a lawyer's dishonest conduct, such as theft or embezzlement of estate, trust or settlement funds, or failing to return unearned fees; it does not cover malpractice, negligence, fee disputes or consequential damages. Limits: $150,000 per claimant and $375,000 for all claims against one attorney (prorated if exceeded). File within two years after the loss or six months after discovery, whichever is later (or within one year after a discipline determination or the lawyer's death). A Request for Investigation with the Attorney Grievance Commission is part of the application. There is no filing fee; a lawyer who helps may charge no more than $250 unless the State Bar authorizes more. Contact: cpf@michbar.org, (517) 346-6354. Fund home: https://www.michbar.org/client/protectionfund Source: State Bar of Michigan, Client Protection Fund FAQ

Hiring a lawyer for a specific problem

Tenant lawyers, legal aid and housing help in Michigan · All Michigan law guides

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.