Pro Bono Lawyers and Attorneys in North Dakota
Where to ask for pro bono legal services or a free attorney in North Dakota, 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 North Dakota Court System lists Legal Services of North Dakota, a non-profit providing free legal assistance based on income, and its Volunteer Lawyers Program. Call (800) 634-5263 if under 60 or (866) 621-9886 if 60 or older, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Central, or apply online. It does not accept new applications by email, fax or voicemail to a staff member. The courts also list Dakota Plains Legal Services, which provides free legal help to low-income people, older Americans and veterans in North and South Dakota, including tribal court matters. LSND: https://lsnd.org/ |
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| Who qualifies | Legal Services of North Dakota serves low-income or elderly North Dakotans. Applicants must meet income requirements, have a North Dakota legal issue and complete an application. Source: Legal Services of North Dakota |
| Cases covered | Legal Services of North Dakota mentions government benefits, family, health, consumer, housing and elderly law. The page does not state cases it declines. Source: Legal Services of North Dakota |
Other free or low-cost help
| If you earn too much for free help | The courts' page says the Volunteer Lawyers Program, run through Legal Services of North Dakota, "offers low-cost legal assistance based on income," and that Legal Services of North Dakota can check whether you meet its income requirements. No income limit or fee is stated. |
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| Does the bar's referral service find free lawyers? | The courts' page says the State Bar's Lawyer Referral Service matches "paying clients in need of legal services with lawyers." It costs $30 per referral, which includes a lawyer's name, phone number and up to a 30-minute consultation. Phone (866) 450-9579. |
| Free legal aid | Legal Services of North Dakota is a nonprofit that provides free legal assistance to North Dakota residents in a variety of matters based on income, and can check eligibility for the low-cost Volunteer Lawyers program. Call (800) 634-5263 if under age 60 or (866) 621-9886 if 60 or older (9 am-3 pm Central), or apply online. Dakota Plains Legal Services also provides free legal help to low-income people, older Americans and veterans in North and South Dakota, including tribal court matters. LSC lists Legal Services of North Dakota as its North Dakota grantee. LSND: https://lsnd.org/; LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
| Lawyer referral service | The State Bar Association of North Dakota's Lawyer Referral Service matches paying clients with lawyers. A referral includes a lawyer's name, phone number and up to a 30-minute consultation with a lawyer in the area of law and town or county you choose. The charge for a referral is $30. Phone: (866) 450-9579. |
Do North Dakota lawyers have to do pro bono work?
| State rule | "A lawyer should render public interest legal service." A lawyer may meet this through no-fee or reduced-fee services and financial support for legal services organizations, among other ways. The rule states no hours goal or reporting requirement, and its comment says it "is not intended to be enforced through disciplinary process." |
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All legal help in North Dakota · 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.