Pro Bono Lawyers and Attorneys in Washington
Where to ask for pro bono legal services or a free attorney in Washington, 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 Washington State Bar Association says "Many Washington counties have volunteer programs that can connect people with civil legal problems to a pro bono attorney," and publishes a directory of nonprofit legal service organizations by county, such as the King County Bar Association's Pro Bono Services, 206-267-7100. CLEAR, run by the Northwest Justice Project, assists low-income residents with civil legal problems: apply online at nwjustice.org/apply-online, or outside King County call 888-201-1014, Monday to Friday, 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. In King County call 2-1-1, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. People 60 and over can call CLEAR*Sr at 1-888-387-7111. Directory: https://www.wsba.org/connect-serve/pro-bono-public-service/qlsp-directory ; Courts: https://www.courts.wa.gov/self-help/get-legal-help/ |
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| Who qualifies | CLEAR "serves individuals whose incomes are at or below 125% of the poverty line." If you are unsure whether you qualify, you can call and speak with a screener. |
| Cases covered | CLEAR handles civil legal problems, with a dedicated eviction line at 1-855-657-8387. The courts' page does not give a full list of case types. |
Other free or low-cost help
| Does the bar's referral service find free lawyers? | "WSBA does not provide legal advice or referrals to private attorneys." The bar directs people to county bar referral services in Clark, King, San Juan, Snohomish and Tacoma-Pierce Counties, and to county volunteer programs for pro bono help. |
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| Free legal aid | CLEAR (Coordinated Legal Education, Advice and Referral), run by the Northwest Justice Project, is a legal advice and referral hotline for low-income Washington residents with civil legal problems (incomes at or below 125% of the poverty line). Outside King County, call 1-888-201-1014 weekdays 9:15 am-12:15 pm; King County residents call 2-1-1 (weekdays 8:00 am-6:00 pm). Seniors 60+ can call CLEAR*Sr at 1-888-387-7111. Court-affiliated self-help centers also offer free, limited legal services to self-represented litigants. LSC lists the Northwest Justice Project as its Washington grantee. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
| Lawyer referral service | The Washington State Bar Association does not provide referrals to private attorneys. It points the public to local county bar association referral services in Clark, King, San Juan (by email request), Snohomish and Tacoma-Pierce Counties, and to the American Bar Association's lawyer referral directory. |
Do Washington lawyers have to do pro bono work?
| State rule | "Every lawyer has a professional responsibility to assist in the provision of legal services to those unable to pay. A lawyer should aspire to render at least thirty (30) hours of pro bono publico service per year." Service "may be reported annually on a form provided by the WSBA," and a lawyer rendering at least fifty hours receives a commendation from the bar. |
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All legal help in Washington · 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.