Pro Bono Lawyers and Attorneys in New York
Where to ask for pro bono legal services or a free attorney in New York, 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 New York State Bar Association's pro bono page points people to LawHelpNY.org, which provides information and a searchable directory of free or low-cost services for people whose income is too low to afford a lawyer: enter a ZIP code, city or county and a legal topic. The Legal Services Corporation funds seven regional programs: Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, Legal Assistance of Western New York, Legal Services NYC, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, Legal Services of Long Island and Neighborhood Legal Services. For pro bono questions, NYSBA gives probono@nysba.org. LawHelpNY: https://www.lawhelpny.org/find-legal-help ; LSC: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
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Other free or low-cost help
| Free legal questions online | New York Free Legal Answers, listed by the New York State Bar Association, is "a virtual legal advice clinic in which qualifying users post civil legal questions at no cost." Volunteer attorneys cannot call you or represent you in court, and answers may not arrive before a court date. Service: https://ny.freelegalanswers.org |
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| Does the bar's referral service find free lawyers? | The New York State Bar Association's Lawyer Referral and Information Service connects people with "private (paid) attorneys." Referrals are free, and the first 30-minute consultation costs $35, waived for personal injury, social security, medical malpractice, veterans' and military law, and unemployment or workers' compensation. For pro bono help, the page says to email probono@nysba.org. |
| Free legal aid | Free civil legal aid for low-income New Yorkers is provided by regional legal services programs. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) lists seven New York grantees: Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, Legal Assistance of Western New York, Legal Services NYC, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, Legal Services of Long Island, and Neighborhood Legal Services. |
| Lawyer referral service | The New York State Bar Association's Lawyer Referral and Information Service connects the public with vetted private (paid) attorneys in the areas of New York it serves. Request a referral through the online form (applications are online only); you should be contacted within five working days, or email lrs@nysba.org if not. Referrals are free; once referred, there is a $35.00 fee for the first half-hour consultation, and further fees are between you and the attorney (the LRIS does not set attorneys' fees). Panel attorneys' registration and insurance are verified. |
All legal help in New York · 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.