Pro Bono Lawyers and Attorneys in Michigan
Where to ask for pro bono legal services or a free attorney in Michigan, 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 Michigan directs the public to Michigan Legal Help's Guide to Legal Help, which gives the contact information for your local legal aid office "if you might qualify for free legal services." The Legal Services Corporation funds 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. The bar also recognizes Pro Bono Partner Programs that provide direct civil legal services for free or at a significantly reduced fee. Guide: https://michiganlegalhelp.org/guide-to-legal-help ; LSC: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees ; Partner Programs: https://www.michbar.org/alawyerhelps/probonopartners |
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| Who qualifies | For the bar's Pro Bono Partner Programs, "Low-income means a household income, based on family size, of no more than 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines." Programs apply a means test. |
Other free or low-cost help
| If you earn too much for free help | The State Bar of Michigan's Modest Means Program, run through its Lawyer Referral Service staff, connects moderate-income people with attorneys. Household income must be at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines, and liquid assets must not exceed $5,000; 2026 monthly limits are $2,658 for 1 person, $3,592 for 2, $4,525 for 3 and $5,458 for 4. Attorneys charge $75 per hour after the initial consultation or reduced flat fees, may require an up-front payment or retainer of up to $750, and there is a $25 referral fee. It "is not a free program," and acceptance does not guarantee representation. Case types are Chapter 7 bankruptcy, consumer, expungement and driver's license restoration, family, probate and estate planning, and residential real property. Apply by emailing the application to LRIS@michbar.org or by mail; (800) 968-0738 reaches a referral assistant. |
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| Does the bar's referral service find free lawyers? | The State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service charges a referral fee, and a referred attorney gives a "25-minute initial consultation free of charge." The page does not offer free or pro bono referrals; if you cannot afford an attorney it points you to the Guide to Legal Help. |
| 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. |
| 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 |
Do Michigan lawyers have to do pro bono work?
| State rule | The State Bar of Michigan's Voluntary Pro Bono Standard says active members are "encouraged to support the direct delivery of pro bono legal services to low-income people" and encourages financial support for legal aid. The page gives no hours minimum and describes no reporting process. |
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All legal help in Michigan · 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.