Ideas on how to find an attorney:

• You can contact a lawyer referral service in your area by reaching out to your state or local bar association.
  
• You may qualify for free legal services through legal aid. Scroll down for a list of offices in each state.
  
• You can ask people you know to suggest attorneys they have worked with in the past. 
  
• You can ask an attorney you know or have worked with before if they can refer you to an attorney who has experience with issues similar to yours.
  
• If you’re a servicemember, you should consult with your local JAG Legal Assistance Office. 
  

Ask questions 

To help determine whether the attorney has a good understanding of your situation, and to understand whether you can afford an attorney you should consider asking these questions: 

• How much of your work involves this area of law and representing people in my situation?
  
• Do you charge an up-front fee? 
  
• Will I have to pay even if I lose my case in court?
  
• If I can’t afford to hire you, can you refer me to a consumer law attorney who may not charge up-front fees?
  

Check that your attorney is in good standing

Before hiring an attorney, it is a good idea to make sure he or she is in good standing with the state bar association. You can also see if he or she has a disciplinary record. You can find this information by searching the attorney’s name on the state bar website where the attorney is licensed, or by calling the state bar association. Some states may have more than one bar association. 

Legal aid

Some attorneys may also offer free services or charge a reduced fee. There may also be legal aid offices or legal clinics in your area that will offer their services for free if you meet certain criteria.

This website has a state-by-state search to help you find an attorney or you can check the state-specific legal aid information below: 

Alabama

Alabama Legal Aid Directory: Legal Services Attorneys

Alaska

Alaska Legal Aid Directory: Legal Services Attorneys

Arizona

Arizona Law Help: Legal Services Attorneys

Arkansas

Arkansas Legal Services Partnership: Legal Services Attorneys

California

California Legal Services: Legal Services Attorneys

Colorado

Colorado Legal Services: Legal Services Attorneys

Connecticut

Connecticut Network for Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys  

Delaware

Delaware Legal Services: Legal Services Attorneys

District of Columbia

District of Columbia Legal Services: Legal Services Attorneys

Florida

Florida Legal Services: Legal Services Attorneys

Georgia

Georgia Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Hawaii

Hawaii Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Idaho

Idaho Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Illinois

Illinois Legal Services: Directory of Legal Services Attorneys

Indiana

Indiana Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Iowa

Iowa Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Kansas

Kansas Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Kentucky

Kentucky Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Louisiana

Louisiana Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Maine

Maine Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Maryland

Maryland Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Legal Services: Legal Services Attorneys

Michigan

Michigan Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Minnesota

Minnesota Legal Services Coalition: Legal Services Attorneys

Mississippi

Mississippi Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Missouri

Missouri Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Montana

Montana Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Nebraska

Nebraska Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Nevada

Nevada Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

New Hampshire

New Hampshire Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

New Jersey

State of New Jersey: Legal Services Attorneys

New Mexico

New Mexico Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

New York

New York Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

North Carolina

North Carolina Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

North Dakota

North Dakota Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Ohio

Ohio Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Oregon

Oregon Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

South Carolina

South Carolina Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

South Dakota

South Dakota Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Tennessee

Tennessee Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Texas

Texas Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Utah

Utah Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Vermont

Vermont Law Help:  Legal Services Attorneys

Virginia

VA Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

Washington

Washington Legal Aid: Legal Services Attorneys

West Virginia

Legal Aid of West Virginia: Legal Services Attorneys

Wisconsin

Legal Action (Legal Aid Directory): Legal Services Attorneys

Wyoming

Legal Aid of Wyoming: Legal Services Attorneys