Pro Bono Lawyers and Attorneys in South Carolina
Where to ask for pro bono legal services or a free attorney in South Carolina, 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 South Carolina Bar says people who cannot afford a lawyer may qualify for legal aid through South Carolina Legal Services. Its Intake Telephone Line is 1-888-346-5592. The bar also links a Legal Resource Finder that identifies legal aid organizations and self-help resources you may be eligible for. Intake line: https://www.lawhelp.org/sc/online-intake ; Resource Finder: https://georgetown.neotalogic.com/a/SCATJ-Legal-Resource-Finder-V2 |
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Other free or low-cost help
| Free legal questions online | SC Free Legal Answers, the ABA's virtual clinic listed by the South Carolina Bar, lets qualifying users post a civil legal question to a volunteer lawyer. Service: https://sc.freelegalanswers.org/ |
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| Does the bar's referral service find free lawyers? | The South Carolina Bar's Lawyer Referral Service, (803) 799-7100, says "The lawyers do not take pro bono cases." Participating lawyers cap a 30-minute consultation at $50, and full fees apply if the consultation runs longer or you hire the lawyer. |
| Free legal aid | People who cannot afford a lawyer may qualify for help from South Carolina Legal Services, which offers an online intake form (through LawHelp.org/SC) to check eligibility for legal aid. The SC Bar also points to SC Free Legal Answers, a virtual clinic where qualifying users can post civil legal questions to volunteer lawyers. LSC lists South Carolina Legal Services as its South Carolina grantee. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
| Lawyer referral service | The South Carolina Bar's Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) connects you with a lawyer by type of law and location. Call (803) 799-7100 (9 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m., Monday-Friday) or use the online referral service 24/7. Each participating lawyer agrees to charge no more than $50 for a 30-minute consultation; beyond that, or if you hire the lawyer, normal fees apply. LRS lawyers do not take pro bono cases. |
Do South Carolina lawyers have to do pro bono work?
| State rule | A lawyer "should render public interest legal service," which may be met through pro bono services, service to improve the law or legal system, and financial support for legal aid organizations. The rule text 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 South Carolina · 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.