Pro Bono Lawyers and Attorneys in Virginia
Where to ask for pro bono legal services or a free attorney in Virginia, 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 Virginia State Bar lists a legal aid line, 1-866-534-5243, that connects you with your local legal aid office. Its guide to free and low cost resources also lists the Greater Richmond Bar Foundation, (804) 780-2600, which connects volunteer attorneys with pro bono clients through JusticeServer and a referral clearinghouse; the Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center (Fairfax Law Foundation), (703) 246-2740, which assists Fairfax County residents; and Legal Services of Northern Virginia, (703) 778-6800. VirginiaLawHelp.org, maintained by the Virginia Poverty Law Center, is "a guide to free civil legal services for low-income persons and seniors in Virginia." Legal Help: https://vsb.org/Site/Legal-Help/ ; VirginiaLawHelp: https://www.virginialawhelp.org/ |
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| Who qualifies | The Virginia State Bar's guide says legal aid programs serve "low-income families and individuals" and gives no general income cutoff. It lists Just Neighbors, for low-income immigrants in northern Virginia, as requiring clients to earn 200 percent or less of federal poverty guidelines. Source: Virginia State Bar, Access Guide |
| Cases covered | The Virginia State Bar's guide says legal aid focuses on income, shelter, food, health care, education and family stability. Other programs may differ. Source: Virginia State Bar, Access Guide |
Other free or low-cost help
| Free legal questions online | Virginia Free Legal Answers lets eligible users submit civil questions to volunteer attorneys licensed in Virginia, according to the Virginia State Bar. Service: https://virginia.freelegalanswers.org/ Source: Virginia State Bar, Legal Help |
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| Does the bar's referral service find free lawyers? | The Virginia State Bar's guide says of the Virginia Lawyer Referral Service that the service is not free: a $35 non-refundable referral fee covers a consultation of up to 30 minutes. The fee is waived for criminal record sealing referrals from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Phone (800) 552-7977 or (804) 775-0808. Guide: https://vsb.org/Site/legal-help/access-guide.aspx |
| Free legal aid | Free civil legal aid for low-income Virginians is provided by regional legal aid societies. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) lists six Virginia grantees: Blue Ridge Legal Services, Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia, Legal Services of Northern Virginia, Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society, and Virginia Legal Aid Society. |
| Lawyer referral service | The Virginia State Bar's Virginia Lawyer Referral Service (VLRS) refers callers to practicing VSB members who have joined its panel. Call (800) 552-7977 (statewide and nationwide toll-free) or (804) 775-0808 (metro Richmond), Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. A $35.00 non-refundable referral fee, collected by VLRS when you are referred, entitles you to a consultation of up to 30 minutes (by phone or in person) with a VLRS lawyer; neither side is obligated to continue beyond it. The fee is waived for criminal record sealing referrals from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. In Northern Virginia, local bar programs (Fairfax, Alexandria, Prince William) may also help. |
All legal help in Virginia · 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.