District of Columbia Area Legal Resources

To secure information concerning legal representation and advice concerning legal matters.

District of Columbia Bar Association or http://lawhelp.org/dc/

The District of Columbia Bar provides legal and self-help information on certain topics governed by DC or federal laws.

American Bar Association

The American Bar Association provides pro bono and legal services through volunteer efforts of legal professionals nationwide.

AARP – Legal Counsel for the Elderly

AARP – Legal Counsel for the Elderly provides legal services to vulnerable seniors.

DC Refers

DC Refers connects qualified lawyers with clients seeking reduced fee legal services.

Law School Legal Services

The law school legal services comprise of student attorneys under faculty supervision from area law schools.

Organizations Specific to Housing Assistance

Neighborhood Legal Services

The Neighborhood Legal Services strives to provide legal assistance to low-income residents of the District of Columbia regarding preventing evictions, homelessness, and related legal matters. Phone (202) 832-5100 Fax (202) 832-1984

Bread for the City

Volunteer and Staff attorneys represent clients in landlord-tenant disputes, Social Security disability benefits, and public benefits cases.

DC Law Students In Court Program, Inc.

Program where area law schools provide legal services to low-income families in the District of Columbia for civil and criminal legal assistance.

Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless

Provides legal representation to low- and no-income clients through volunteer attorneys.

University Legal Services

University Legal Services (ULS) is an intake center for the Department of Housing and Community Development's housing programs that help low and moderate-income families and individuals buy homes, rehabilitate homes, and prevent mortgage default and foreclosure. ULS also provides rental counseling and assists DC residents with locating affordable and accessible housing.

University of the District of Columbia School of Law Housing

The Housing and Consumer Law Clinic provides representation in housing-related civil litigation.

DC Superior Court Landlord Tenant Court

The Resource Center provides free legal information to both unrepresented landlords and unrepresented tenants who have residential housing disputes.

General Organization Resources

Legal Aid Society

The Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia provides civil legal aid to low-income individuals, families and communities in the District of Columbia.

DC Bar Pro Bono Program

The DC Bar Pro Bono Program provides legal services, through training and recruiting volunteer attorneys in assisting low-income families. The program also helps small businesses and community-based non-profits seeking legal help.

Latino Economic Development Center

Program assists low- to moderate-income Latinos and other DC area residents on financial advice.

Housing Counseling Services

Provides comprehensive housing counseling, training, advocacy, technical assistance and housing opportunities for low and moderate-income homebuyers, homeowners, and tenants.

DC Tenants Advocacy Coalition (TENAC)

TENAC is a nonprofit, public service organization dedicated exclusively to tenant interests, tenant rights and support for rent control in the District of Columbia.

DC Coalition for Housing Justice

Facilitates and encourages cooperation among local and national peace and social justice groups.

DC Affordable Law Firm

DC Affordable Law Firm is the only legal services organization in DC catering to the family law, probate/estate planning, and immigration needs of modest-income DC residents. 

Family Law Assistance Network (FLAN)

The Family Law Assistance Network (FLAN) provides free rapid-response, limited scope legal services to unrepresented DC family law litigants from low-income households.  FLAN attorneys specialize in custody and divorce matters in DC Superior Court.  The network is comprised of attorneys from DC Affordable Law Firm, the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, and the Legal Aid Society of DC. 

Government Agency Resources

District of Columbia Superior Court (DCSC)

The Superior Court handles all local trial matters, including civil, criminal, family court, probate, tax, landlord-tenant, small claims and traffic.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)

The MPD is the primary law enforcement agency for the District of Columbia.  MPD also engages in community policing and assists to improve the quality of life for those who live, work, or visit the District of Columbia.

Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs (DCRA)

The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs aims to protect the health, safety, economic interests, and quality of life of residents, businesses, and visitors in the District of Columbia by issuing licenses and permits, conducting inspections, enforcing building, housing, and safety codes, regulating land use and development and providing consumer education and advocacy services.

Department of Public Works (DPW)

The Department of Public Works provides municipal services in two distinct program areas: environmental services/solid waste management and parking enforcement. Both contribute to making District streets and public spaces clean, safe, attractive and accessible.

United States Attorney’s Office (USAO)

The United States Attorney’s Office serves as both a local and federal prosecutor.

Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA)

HSEMA support the citizens of the District of Columbia and United States by coordinating efforts that ensure emergency operations are in place and prepared to protect against, plan for, respond to, and recover from natural and manmade hazards.

National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC)

The NCPC’s focuses on helping people, their families and communities to be safe from crime. It has created programs and made other resources available to the public that can be used to learn strategies related to crime prevention methods.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

DHS is the nation’s homeland security agency that addresses a wide range of issues to ensure safety from threats America faces.  The agency is comprised of several different sub-agencies that have specific duties all in furtherance of the same goal.