Pro Bono Lawyers and Attorneys in Wisconsin
Where to ask for pro bono legal services or a free attorney in Wisconsin, 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 State Bar of Wisconsin says it works with partner organizations to offer "lower cost legal options and resources for Wisconsin residents," and that "Most programs have an application process and eligibility requirements that must be met." It lists Legal Action of Wisconsin (apply online or call (855) 947-2529; intake takes about 20 minutes), Judicare Legal Aid (online intake form), and Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinics, plus a directory of legal resources by county. Legal Action says "Applying online or calling us DOES NOT guarantee services." Legal Action: https://legalaction.org/ ; county directory: https://wilawlibrary.gov/topics/assist.php |
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| Who qualifies | Legal Action of Wisconsin asks about income, assets, household size and your legal issue, and says "Some legal problems and office locations have different income limits and criteria." Its home page does not list specific income limits. Source: Legal Action of Wisconsin |
| Cases covered | Legal Action of Wisconsin lists housing, employment, debt and taxes, family law, public benefits, victim support and specific populations. "Not all cases are accepted, and not everyone qualifies for our services"; people not accepted get referrals to other resources. Source: Legal Action of Wisconsin |
Other free or low-cost help
| If you earn too much for free help | The State Bar of Wisconsin lists a Modest Means Referral Service, which is income-based. The page gives no income figure or fee and says people without enough income to qualify may be referred elsewhere. |
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| Free legal questions online | Wisconsin Free Legal Answers is listed by the State Bar of Wisconsin as an online question service. The page gives no income limits or case types. Service: https://wi.freelegalanswers.org/ |
| Does the bar's referral service find free lawyers? | The State Bar of Wisconsin's Lawyer Referral Service says "Attorneys referred through LRS agree to charge no more than $20 for the first 30-minute consultation," and regular fees apply after that. Phone (800) 362-9082 or (608) 257-4666. The page does not say it refers people to free lawyers; the bar lists free and reduced help separately. |
| Free legal aid | Legal Action of Wisconsin provides free civil legal help to people who qualify. Apply online or call (855) 947-2529 (about 20 minutes); intake asks about income, assets, household size and the legal issue, applying does not guarantee services, and people who are not accepted get referrals to other resources. The Wisconsin courts' Self-Help Law Center offers forms and information for people representing themselves (not legal advice). LSC lists Legal Action of Wisconsin as its Wisconsin grantee. Self-Help Law Center: https://www.wicourts.gov/services/public/selfhelp/index.htm; LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
| Lawyer referral service | The State Bar of Wisconsin's Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) connects the public with a trained legal assistant (not legal advice) who assesses your situation and points you to the most appropriate resource; if you need an attorney, LRS refers you to one in your area interested in your type of legal issue. Referred attorneys agree to charge no more than $20 for the first 30-minute consultation; regular fees apply after that. Phone: (800) 362-9082. |
Do Wisconsin lawyers have to do pro bono work?
| State rule | The State Bar of Wisconsin says "a lawyer should aspire to render at least 50 hours of pro bono publico services per year." The page does not mention reporting. |
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All legal help in Wisconsin · 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.