Find a Lawyer or Free Legal Help in Nebraska

Official places in Nebraska 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 Nebraska State Bar Association's Find-A-Lawyer website lets the public look for a lawyer. Attorneys listed there charge $50 or less for the first 30 minutes of consultation, according to the site. The site says it is not a directory of NSBA members; for a full list of licensed Nebraska attorneys it points to the Nebraska Supreme Court Attorney Services Division website. Source: Nebraska State Bar Association, Nebraska Find-A-Lawyer
Free legal aid	Legal Aid of Nebraska provides information, referrals, advice, self-help services and representation to qualifying low-income people with civil legal issues, with seven offices serving all 93 counties. There are no walk-ins: call the Statewide AccessLine at 1-877-250-2016 (Monday/Wednesday 8:30-11:30 am, Tuesday/Thursday 1:00-3:00 pm, Central Time) or apply online. Seniors 60+ can use the ElderAccessLine at 1-800-527-7249. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) lists Legal Aid of Nebraska as the LSC-funded grantee in the state. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees Source: Legal Aid of Nebraska, Call for Help; Legal Services Corporation, Our Grantees
Check that the lawyer is licensed	The Nebraska Supreme Court regulates attorney licensing, and the Nebraska Judicial Branch provides a public attorney search for checking a lawyer's record; the Counsel for Discipline's grievance page points the public to it. Source: Nebraska Judicial Branch, public attorney search
Check discipline history or file a complaint	The Nebraska Supreme Court's Counsel for Discipline investigates and prosecutes violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct. File a grievance with the court's grievance form or a letter fully explaining the problem, with copies (not originals) of supporting documents, by email (nsc.cfdcomplaints@nejudicial.gov), fax (402-471-1014) or mail (Counsel for Discipline, 5001 Central Park Dr., Ste. 300, Lincoln, NE 68504-3461); phone 402-471-1040. Grievances that would not describe improper conduct even if true are rejected; otherwise the lawyer is usually asked for a written response, staff investigate, and the grievance is dismissed or charges are filed with a Committee on Inquiry. Grievances and investigations are confidential. The office cannot give legal advice, change court orders or recover money for you; it can only seek discipline. Source: Nebraska Judicial Branch, How to File an Attorney Grievance
Rules on contingency fees	Under Neb. Ct. R. of Prof. Cond. § 3-501.5(c), a contingent fee agreement must be in a writing signed by the client and must state how the fee is determined, including the percentage(s) for settlement, trial or appeal; litigation and other expenses deducted from the recovery; and whether expenses are deducted before or after the fee is calculated. It must clearly notify the client of expenses owed whether or not the client prevails, and at the end the lawyer must give a written statement of the outcome and, if there is a recovery, the remittance and how it was determined. § 3-501.5(d) prohibits fees in domestic relations matters contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony, support or property settlement, and contingent fees for defending a criminal case. § 3-501.5(b) says the basis or rate of fees should be communicated, preferably in writing. Source: Neb. Ct. R. of Prof. Cond. § 3-501.5(c)-(d)
If you disagree with a lawyer's bill	The Nebraska State Bar Association's Legal Fee Arbitration Program offers voluntary arbitration of disputes over fees charged by attorneys (and also between attorneys and physicians, stenographers, consultants and expert witnesses). The rules, petition, respondent's answer form and a fee brochure are on the page; questions go to the program contact at 1-800-927-0117. Source: Nebraska State Bar Association, Fee Arbitration
If a lawyer takes your money	The Nebraska State Bar Association's Client Assistance Fund, established in January 1974 under the Nebraska Supreme Court's authority, helps claimants recover losses caused by dishonest conduct of lawyers while practicing law in Nebraska. Complete the claim form, attach copies of supporting documents, have it notarized, and send it to NSBA/Client Assistance Fund, 635 South 14th Street, Suite 200, Lincoln, NE 68508, keeping a copy. Source: Nebraska State Bar Association, Client Assistance Fund

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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.