Get Legal Help
Need legal help? See the below options for getting the help that you need.
Finding Lawyers
CLEAR (Coordinated Legal Education, Advice and Referral) is a legal advice and referral hotline for low-income Washington residents with civil legal problems. The hotline is run by the Northwest Justice Project and serves individuals whose incomes are at or below 125% of the poverty line. The federal guidelines can be found here: 2025 Federal Poverty Guideline Table Download. If you aren't sure if you qualify, you can call and speak with a screener.
- If you are outside of King County, you can contact the CLEAR Hotline at 1-888-201-1014 weekdays between 9:15 am - 12:15 pm.
- For King County residents, call 2-1-1. 2 1 1 is open weekdays 8:00 am - 6:00 pm. Screeners will identify and refer you to the appropriate legal aid provider.
- Seniors (age 60 and over) can also call CLEAR*Sr at 1-888-387-7111 (statewide).
- Facing Eviction? Call 1-855-657-8387.
- Facing Foreclosure? Call 1-800-606-481.
- Deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired callers can call CLEAR or 2-1-1 (or toll-free 1-877-211-9274) using the relay service of their choice. 2 1 1 and CLEAR provide interpreters.
For local pro bono programs by county, click here: Get Legal Help | Washington Law Help External link - opens in a new window.
Washington has three law schools: Seattle University School of Law (located in Seattle), University of Washington School of Law (located in Seattle) and Gonzaga University School of Law (located in Spokane). Each law school has a clinic program for members of the public to get legal advice and in some cases direct representation. The clinics each have different offerings in terms of which types of cases they accept. Contact the clinic in your area or visit their webpage to find more information on which services they provide.
Clinical Legal Programs External link - opens in a new window
Seattle University Workers' Rights Clinic External link - opens in a new window
The Washington State Bar Association Moderate Means Program External link - opens in a new window may provide legal help with family, housing, or consumer law issues.
Currently: Temporarily closed while improvements are made to the program.
For family law matters, consider a limited license legal technician External link - opens in a new window (LLLT).
Local Attorney Referral ServicesExternal link - opens in a new window
Washington State Bar Association Attorney Directory: Legal Directory External link - opens in a new window
Legal Research and Other Resources
Some counties have law libraries that are open for the public to use. Law librarians may be able to help you with legal research, online resources, samples of court forms and printing needs.
If you do not have a lawyer and your case is in superior court, a courthouse facilitator can assist with family law cases, and in some counties, guardianship cases.
Visit the Courthouse Facilitators PageGet legal help by county: Get Legal Help | Washington Law Help External link - opens in a new window
Here are Frequently Asked Questions External link - opens in a new window about finding legal help in Washington state, also available in Spanish External link - opens in a new window and Chinese External link - opens in a new window.
