JusticeXpressFlorida.com
Find a Lawyer in Florida — Free, Low-Cost & Private
Whether you need free legal help, a reduced-fee consultation, or a full-service private attorney, Florida has an extensive network of legal aid organizations, bar referral services, law school clinics, and specialized nonprofits to help you find the right person for your situation. This page organizes those resources by type and region.
Important: JusticeXpressFlorida.com is a document preparation service, not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice or attorney referrals. This directory is provided as a free public service. For legal advice specific to your situation, contact one of the resources below.
Statewide Legal Help — Start Here
These resources cover the entire state of Florida and are the best starting point if you are unsure which local organization serves your area.
The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service
The oldest and largest legal referral service in Florida. Covers 47 counties. Available 24/7. Initial 30-minute consultation for $25 or less. All referred attorneys are licensed and in good standing with The Florida Bar.
☎ 1-800-342-8011 · Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
FloridaLawHelp.org
Florida's statewide free legal information website and directory of legal aid offices throughout the state. Find legal aid offices by county, read plain-language guides on Florida law, and connect with local service providers for family law, housing, public benefits, immigration, domestic violence, and more.
Serves: All Florida residents, with focus on low-income individuals
Florida Free Legal Answers
A virtual legal advice clinic — part of the American Bar Association's national program — where qualifying users post civil legal questions online and receive answers from volunteer attorneys at no cost. Must meet income guidelines to use the service.
Serves: Income-qualifying Florida residents with civil legal questions
Florida Legal Services, Inc.
Statewide nonprofit that coordinates pro bono legal services and advocates for low-income Floridians. Not a direct service provider, but maintains a comprehensive directory of legal aid programs across the state and can connect you with the right local organization.
Serves: Statewide — coordinates all FL legal aid programs
The Florida Bar — Find a Lawyer
Beyond the referral service hotline, The Florida Bar provides a public online attorney directory to search for licensed Florida attorneys by name, city, county, or area of practice. Also search for board-certified specialists — attorneys with advanced credentials in specific legal areas.
Serves: All Florida counties
Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS)
Provides free civil legal help to low-income Floridians in rural and agricultural communities, with a special focus on farmworkers. Services cover family law, housing, domestic violence, consumer law, public benefits, and elder law. Apply by calling the hotline or online.
Serves: Charlotte, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee + farmworkers statewide
Florida Courts — Legal Aid Directory
The Florida Court system maintains an official statewide directory of legal aid organizations, self-help resources, and family law self-help centers. A reliable government source for finding your local court self-help center and free family law assistance.
Serves: All Florida counties — official state resource
Lawyer Referral Services — Statewide & Local
Lawyer referral services connect you with a licensed private attorney for a reduced-fee initial consultation — typically 30 minutes for $25–$50. You are not required to hire the attorney after the consultation. All referred attorneys are in good standing with The Florida Bar.
How referral services work: You pay a modest administrative fee ($25–$50), describe your legal problem, and the service matches you with a licensed attorney in the right practice area. The attorney will consult with you for up to 30 minutes. You are under no obligation to hire that attorney for continued representation. After the consultation, you can decide whether to hire them, find another attorney, or handle the matter yourself.
| Referral Service | Counties Served | Phone | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Bar Statewide LRS | 47 Florida counties (all not served by local LRS) | 1-800-342-8011 | $25 / 30 min |
| Broward County Bar Assoc. LRS | Broward County | (954) 764-8310 | $50 / 30 min |
| Collier County Bar Assoc. LRS | Collier County | (239) 252-8138 | $50 / 30 min |
| Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar LRS | Escambia & Santa Rosa Counties | (850) 434-6009 | Minimal fee |
| Jacksonville Bar Assoc. LRS | Duval, Baker, Clay & Nassau Counties | (904) 399-5780 | $50 / 30 min |
| Lee County Bar Assoc. LRS | Lee County | (239) 334-5297 | $50 / 30 min |
| Miami-Dade Bar Assoc. LRS | Miami-Dade County | (305) 371-2220 | $50 / 30 min |
| Orange County Bar Assoc. LRS | Orange County (Orlando area) | (407) 422-4551 | $50 / 30 min |
| Palm Beach County Bar Assoc. LRS | Palm Beach County | (561) 687-3266 | $50 / 30 min |
| Clearwater Bar Assoc. LRS | Pinellas County | (727) 461-4880 | $50 / 30 min |
| Tallahassee Bar Assoc. LRS | Leon, Jefferson, Wakulla, Gadsden, Liberty & Franklin | (850) 222-3292 ext. 1 | $25 / 30 min |
| Sarasota County Bar Assoc. LRS | Sarasota County | (941) 366-5410 | $50 / 30 min |
Limited-scope representation (unbundled legal services): You don't have to hire an attorney for your entire case. Many Florida attorneys offer limited-scope representation — you pay for specific tasks only (drafting one document, coaching you before a hearing, reviewing a contract) while handling the rest yourself. Ask any referred attorney whether they offer limited-scope services. This can dramatically reduce your legal costs.
Regional Legal Aid Organizations
Florida's legal aid organizations are organized by region. Most require income qualification — typically at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline. Services are civil matters only (not criminal defense). Click the organization name to visit their website and apply online.
South Florida — Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach
Legal Aid Service of Miami-Dade County
Provides free civil legal services to low-income Miami-Dade residents. Covers family law, housing, domestic violence, consumer, immigration, public benefits, and more. One of the largest legal aid organizations in Florida.
Serves: Miami-Dade County
Legal Aid Service of Broward County
Free civil legal assistance to low-income Broward County residents including family law, housing, domestic violence, immigration, and consumer matters. Walk-in assistance at the Broward County Courthouse (West Wing 04-107) most weekdays 9:15 AM–4 PM.
Serves: Broward County
Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida
Provides free civil legal services to low-income and eligible residents of Broward and Collier counties. Specializes in protecting the rights of families, seniors, veterans, and underserved populations. Apply online or call for appointment.
Serves: Broward and Collier Counties
Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
Provides free civil legal advice, representation, and education to those in need in Palm Beach County. Services include family law, housing, immigration advocacy for legal residency and citizenship, consumer matters, and public benefits.
Serves: Palm Beach County
Central Florida — Orange, Osceola, Polk, Brevard & Surrounding
Community Legal Services (CLS) — HELPline
Attorney-staffed telephone advice and referral service serving 12 Central Florida counties. Attorneys provide immediate brief legal services and on-the-spot referrals. Extended hours including evenings on Tuesday and Wednesday. Call-back feature available to save your place in line.
Serves: Brevard, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Sarasota & Seminole
Brevard County Legal Aid
Provides free civil legal assistance to income-qualifying Brevard County residents. Services cover family law, housing, domestic violence, consumer matters, and more for Space Coast residents.
Serves: Brevard County (Space Coast)
Tampa Bay Area — Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando & Surrounding
Bay Area Legal Services (BALS)
One of Florida's largest legal aid organizations, providing free civil legal services to low-income residents of the Tampa Bay area. Covers family law, housing, domestic violence, consumer issues, elder law, veterans, and disability rights. Multiple office locations throughout the region.
Serves: Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Hernando & Polk Counties
Gulf Coast Legal Services
Provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals and families in the Sarasota and St. Petersburg area. Covers family law, housing, domestic violence, consumer, elder law, and disability matters. Walk-in clinics and by-appointment services available.
Serves: Sarasota, Manatee, Pinellas & surrounding counties
Northeast Florida — Jacksonville, Alachua, Gainesville & Surrounding
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA)
Provides free civil legal services to low-income and disadvantaged individuals in Northeast Florida. Services include family law, housing, consumer, domestic violence, public benefits, disability, immigration, and veterans' legal assistance. Florida's largest regional legal aid program.
Serves: Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau, St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler & Volusia Counties
Southern Legal Counsel (SLC)
Statewide nonprofit providing free legal representation to low-income Floridians with a focus on civil rights, housing, LGBTQ+ rights, disability rights, and systemic advocacy. Based in Gainesville with statewide reach. Also operates the Florida Name Change Project for transgender individuals.
Serves: Statewide with focus on North Central Florida
Three Rivers Legal Services
Provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents of North Central Florida. Covers family law, housing, domestic violence, public benefits, consumer matters, and elder law. Offices in multiple counties including Gainesville.
Serves: Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Levy, Suwannee, Union & surrounding
Legal Services of North Florida
Provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals in the Florida Panhandle area. Services include family law, housing, consumer matters, public benefits, and more.
Serves: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Franklin, Gadsden, Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor
Southwest Florida & Treasure Coast — Fort Myers, Sarasota, Stuart & Keys
Legal Aid Service of Collier County (LASC)
Provides free civil legal assistance to income-qualifying residents of Collier County and the surrounding Southwest Florida region. Services cover family law, housing, domestic violence, elder law, consumer, and public benefits.
Serves: Collier County and Southwest Florida
Legal Aid Society of the Treasure Coast
Provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals in the Treasure Coast area. Services include family law, housing, consumer, domestic violence, and public benefits matters for the four-county Treasure Coast region.
Serves: Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River & Okeechobee Counties
Immigration Legal Help in Florida
Florida has one of the largest immigrant populations in the United States. The following organizations provide free or low-cost immigration legal services — all are legitimate nonprofits staffed by licensed attorneys or DOJ-accredited representatives. Beware of notarios — in Florida, only licensed attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives can legally provide immigration advice.
Warning — Notario Fraud: In Florida, a "notario público" or "immigration consultant" who is not a licensed attorney or DOJ-accredited representative cannot legally give you immigration advice or prepare your immigration forms. Notario fraud has resulted in deportation for thousands of Floridians who paid for bad advice. Only use the organizations listed below or verify credentials at justice.gov/eoir.
Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC)
Statewide nonprofit providing free immigration legal services including citizenship applications, TPS renewals, EAD renewals, DACA renewal assistance, and rights education. Operates a 24/7 hotline and offers virtual assistance. All FLIC services are free of charge.
Serves: Statewide — offices in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Orange, Osceola & Duval
Americans for Immigrant Justice (AI Justice)
Award-winning nonprofit law firm fighting for immigrants' rights through direct representation, impact litigation, and advocacy. Specializes in unaccompanied immigrant children, trafficking survivors, domestic violence survivors, immigration detention reform, and family reunification. Based in Miami with national reach.
Serves: Statewide with Miami focus
Florida Justice for Our Neighbors (FL JFON)
A nonprofit ministry of the United Methodist Church providing free immigration legal aid to individuals and families. Services include family petitions, asylum, naturalization, DACA, deportation defense, adjustment of status, TPS, VAWA, and U visas. Three locations — services available regardless of religion.
Serves: Miami, Orlando & Tampa Bay regions (statewide applications accepted)
Florida Immigration Law & Justice Center (ILJ)
Free immigration legal services including family petitions, asylum, citizenship, DACA, deportation defense, adjustment of status, VAWA, U visas, and unaccompanied children's representation. Provides Citizenship Instruction Classes and ESOL classes in partnership with Learning Empowered. All services free.
Serves: Tampa Bay, Miami & statewide
Catholic Legal Services (CLS)
Provides free and low-cost immigration legal services to needy immigrants. Experienced attorneys and immigration professionals handle family petitions, deportation defense, asylum, VAWA, DACA, and more. Offices in Miami-Dade and Broward. Mission: professional legal services to those without means to obtain representation.
Serves: Miami-Dade & Broward Counties
Florida Immigration Research Center (FIRC)
The only organization in North Florida providing free and low-cost deportation defense. FIRC represents immigrants in removal proceedings in Tallahassee and the surrounding region, where the odds of representation without help are extremely low — as low as 18.8% in rural North Florida counties.
Serves: Tallahassee & North Florida
Immigration Advocates Network — Florida Directory
A free national online directory of nonprofit organizations providing immigration legal services. Search for organizations serving your Florida county, filtered by the immigration services offered. Maintained by a coalition of immigration legal services providers.
Serves: Statewide directory
DOJ — Recognized Organizations & Accredited Representatives
The official U.S. Department of Justice list of organizations and individuals who are recognized or accredited by EOIR to provide immigration legal services. Free to search by state and city. If an organization is on this list, they are legally authorized to give immigration legal advice.
Serves: Statewide — official government verification tool
Specialized Legal Help — Veterans, Seniors, Disability & More
Several Florida organizations serve specific populations regardless of income, including military veterans, seniors, individuals with disabilities, domestic violence survivors, and children in foster care.
ABA Military Pro Bono Project
The ABA's Military Pro Bono Project connects active-duty servicemembers, veterans, and their families with free legal help from volunteer attorneys. Covers family law, consumer, landlord-tenant, and other civil matters affecting military families.
Serves: Active duty, veterans & military families statewide
Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs — Legal Assistance
The Florida DVA provides veterans' benefits claims assistance and can refer veterans to legal aid services for civil matters. County veterans' service officers across all 67 counties can assist with VA benefits appeals and connect veterans with legal resources.
Serves: Florida veterans statewide
Disability Rights Florida
Florida's designated Protection & Advocacy system — a federally mandated program providing free legal services to individuals with disabilities. Covers disability discrimination, special education, access to services, abuse and neglect, Medicaid, and more. No income requirement for most services.
Serves: Individuals with disabilities statewide — no income test for most services
Elder Law Section — Florida Bar / Senior Legal Hotline
The Florida Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar and many regional legal aid organizations operate Senior Legal Hotlines providing free telephone legal advice to Floridians age 60 and older. Covers estate planning, guardianship, Medicare/Medicaid, housing, consumer matters, and more. Income limits may be higher for senior programs.
Serves: Floridians age 60 and older
Domestic Violence Legal Help — Florida
Victims of domestic violence in Florida can obtain an injunction for protection at no cost — no attorney needed and no filing fee. Additionally, the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline connects callers with local certified domestic violence centers that often provide free legal advocacy and help with protective injunctions. Available 24/7.
Serves: All Floridians — no income requirement for DV injunction
Florida Health Justice Project
Provides legal help in cases primarily related to eligibility for public healthcare coverage and services. Helps Floridians access Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, and other health benefit programs through legal advocacy. Low-income Floridians who have been wrongly denied health benefits can get free legal assistance.
Serves: Low-income Floridians with health care eligibility issues
Florida Justice Institute
Provides legal help for cases concerning incarceration conditions, prison and jail civil rights, and conditions of confinement issues. Handles impact litigation on behalf of incarcerated persons and their families regarding constitutional violations.
Serves: Incarcerated individuals and families statewide
Lambda Legal — Southern Regional Office
National civil rights organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of LGBTQ people and those living with HIV. Lambda Legal provides legal representation, education, and policy advocacy for LGBTQ Floridians facing discrimination, family law, employment, and health care issues.
Serves: LGBTQ Floridians statewide
Law School Legal Clinics
Florida's law schools operate free legal clinics in which law students — supervised by licensed faculty attorneys — provide representation and advice to clients who otherwise could not afford it. Services vary by clinic type and semester.
University of Florida Levin College of Law Clinics
Multiple clinics covering immigration law, family law, business law, environmental law, and tax law. Supervised by faculty attorneys. Located in Gainesville.
Florida State University College of Law Clinics
FSU Law operates clinics covering immigration, capital cases, employment, family law, and public interest matters. Located in Tallahassee. Call or check website for current clinic availability.
University of Miami School of Law Clinics
UM Law operates extensive clinics covering immigration, housing, civil rights, elder law, criminal justice, and more. The Immigration Clinic is one of the most active in Florida. Located in Coral Gables.
Florida International University College of Law Clinics
FIU Law clinics cover immigration, family law, elder law, mediation, and disability rights. Located in Miami. FIU's immigration clinic is particularly active in South Florida's immigrant communities.
Stetson University College of Law Clinics
Stetson Law operates clinics in elder law, family law, immigration, and business law from its Gulfport campus near St. Petersburg. Elder law and estate planning clinics are particularly active.
Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Clinics
NSU Law in Fort Lauderdale operates clinics covering immigration, family law, civil rights, criminal justice, and civil litigation. The immigration clinic handles a wide range of cases for South Florida's immigrant communities.
Verify a Lawyer's License & Standing
Before hiring a Florida attorney, you can — and should — verify that the attorney is licensed, in good standing, and has no disciplinary history. All of this information is free and public.
Florida Bar — Attorney Search
Search the official Florida Bar directory to verify that any attorney is licensed to practice law in Florida and is currently in good standing. The search shows license status, bar number, primary address, and admission date. If an attorney is not in this database as "Eligible," do not hire them.
Florida Bar — Disciplinary Decisions
Search for any disciplinary action taken against a Florida attorney — reprimands, suspensions, disbarments, and other sanctions. Disciplinary decisions are public record. You can also file a complaint against a Florida attorney through this same system if you believe your attorney has behaved unethically.
Florida Bar — Board Certified Specialists
Board certification means a Florida attorney has demonstrated advanced expertise in a specific area of law — beyond the ordinary bar license. Florida has 27 certification areas including Family Law, Elder Law, Immigration, Real Estate, and more. Searching for a board-certified specialist gives you an additional quality signal beyond basic licensure.
Tips for Working with a Florida Attorney
Get the fee agreement in writing before any work begins. Florida Bar rules require attorneys to provide written fee agreements for most matters exceeding $1,000.
Ask about limited-scope representation — you can hire an attorney for specific tasks only (reviewing a document, coaching you on a hearing) rather than full representation.
You can fire your attorney at any time for any reason. If your attorney is not communicating, not returning calls, or not working on your case, you have options including a Bar complaint.
Resolving Your Problem Without Going to Court
Many disputes can be resolved without filing a lawsuit or hiring an attorney. Florida offers mediation services, government complaint agencies, and regulatory bodies that handle certain types of disputes free of charge — and often faster than court.
Florida Attorney General — Consumer Protection
For consumer fraud, deceptive sales practices, false advertising, price gouging, and other consumer protection issues. File a complaint with the AG's Consumer Protection Division. Cannot represent you personally but can investigate businesses and take action on patterns of deception.
Handles: Consumer fraud, identity theft, price gouging, deceptive practices
Florida Division of Consumer Services
Handles complaints against insurance companies, health maintenance organizations, and other financial service providers regulated by the Florida Department of Financial Services. If your insurance claim was unfairly denied or delayed, start here.
Handles: Insurance disputes, health plan grievances, financial services complaints
Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR)
Investigates complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or familial status under the Florida Civil Rights Act. Must generally file within 365 days of the discriminatory act.
Handles: Employment, housing & civil rights discrimination claims
Florida Small Claims Court (up to $8,000)
If your dispute involves money ($8,000 or less), Small Claims Court is designed for self-represented litigants. Filing fees range from $55–$120. No attorney required. Judges are experienced handling cases without lawyers. Many disputes — security deposit returns, contract disputes, property damage — are ideal for small claims.
Handles: Money disputes up to $8,000 — all Florida counties
Florida Dispute Resolution Center / Mediation
Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process where a neutral mediator helps parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement — without a judge or jury deciding the outcome. Florida courts actively promote mediation. Community mediation centers often offer free or sliding-scale services; court-ordered mediators are more costly.
Handles: Most civil disputes — alternative to litigation
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation
File complaints against licensed Florida contractors, real estate agents, home inspectors, engineers, and other regulated professionals. If a contractor did defective work, a real estate agent committed fraud, or a licensed professional violated standards, DBPR investigates.
Handles: Contractor fraud, real estate, professional licensing violations
ⓘ Disclaimer: This directory is provided for general informational purposes only. JusticeXpressFlorida.com does not recommend or endorse any specific attorney or organization listed here. Legal aid organizations have eligibility requirements and limited capacity — not all applicants qualify for services. Bar referral services connect you with licensed private attorneys; you are responsible for legal fees after the initial consultation. Immigration law and criminal law are complex — always seek a licensed attorney or DOJ-accredited representative for advice specific to your situation. The Florida Bar Statewide Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 342-8011. JusticeXpressFlorida.com is a document preparation service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice.