Pro Bono Lawyers and Attorneys in Montana
Where to ask for pro bono legal services or a free attorney in Montana, 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 Montana lists Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA), which serves low-income Montanans and runs a Pro Bono Volunteer Attorney Program. Apply online, or call the HelpLine at 1-800-666-6899, Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, or mail or fax a paper application. You can generally expect to hear back in 3-5 business days. "Submitting an application does not guarantee MLSA will be able to take your case." MLSA volunteers help through a phone advice project, family law clinics, AskKarla.org and full representation placements. Volunteer program: https://www.mtlsa.org/volunteer/ ; bar page: https://www.montanabar.org/For-the-Public/Legal-Resources-FAQs |
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| Who qualifies | MLSA describes its services as for low-income Montanans. A separate Bozeman Right to Counsel application is for Bozeman renters facing eviction or other housing issues. |
| Cases covered | MLSA's phone advice volunteers help with family law and employment matters, AskKarla.org volunteers answer civil legal questions, and family law clinics give advice and review documents. The application page does not list case types MLSA accepts or declines. |
Other free or low-cost help
| Free legal questions online | MLSA's volunteer page describes AskKarla.org, where volunteer lawyers answer civil legal questions from income-qualified clients. |
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| Does the bar's referral service find free lawyers? | The State Bar of Montana says its Licensed Lawyer Montana service is "available free of charge to the public." That describes the service; the page does not say whether listed lawyers offer free or reduced-fee representation. |
| Free legal aid | Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) provides free civil legal services to low-income Montanans. Apply online or call the HelpLine at 1-800-666-6899 (Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm); applicants generally hear back in 3-5 business days. The Montana Supreme Court's Court Help Program is a free service that gives legal information (not legal advice) to people with civil legal problems who cannot afford or choose not to hire an attorney, through local centers. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) lists Montana Legal Services Association as the LSC-funded grantee in the state. Court Help Program: https://courts.mt.gov/selfhelp/; LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
| Lawyer referral service | The State Bar of Montana provides a lawyer referral service called Licensed Lawyer Montana, free of charge to the public. Only attorneys who opt to include their information and maintain malpractice insurance are part of the program; the State Bar does not recommend specific attorneys or make general referrals outside this service. |
All legal help in Montana · What is a pro bono lawyer? · Pro bono lawyers in other states
Last verified against official sources: November 4, 2026.
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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.