By contacting the New York City Bar Legal Referral Service (LRS), you can speak with one of their attorney referral counselors, receive legal information and, if appropriate, be referred to screened and qualified lawyers who charge for their services.

An initial consultation is $35 or free, depending on the type of case. Consultations lasts up to 30 minutes. Lawyers can charge their regular hourly rate after the initial 30 minutes.

Callers are referred to participating lawyers in a wide variety of areas, including:

• Bankruptcy
• Business & Corporate Law
• Consumer Law
• Criminal Law
• Debts & Debt Collection
• Employment & Labor Law
• Family Law
• Immigration Law
• Insurance Law
• Intellectual Property
• Landlord–Tenant
• Malpractice
• Personal Injury & Accidents
• Power of Attorney
• Real Property Law
• Wills, Trusts & Estates
• Workers’ Compensation

Online

Request a referral to a lawyer from the New York City Bar in English or Spanish.

Learn about the process of hiring and working with a lawyer.

Get free legal advice from LawHelp.

Search an online database to find out if an attorney is in good standing.

By Phone

To learn about other kinds of help for immigrants, visit the Immigration and Citizenship page.

Community-based organizations provide older adults age 60 and older with legal assistance.

If you are a tenant, the Tenant Helpline can help you with questions about your tenancy.

You may also want to get help for specific situations. Visit the Eviction Prevention and HomeBase or Tenant Harassment page if needed.

Online

Contact the Tenant Helpline.

By Phone

Visit the Veteran Legal Assistance page for information about free legal assistance for veterans.

A living will is a legal document created by an attorney that specifies your health care instructions. This document may also appoint a health care representative to make health care decisions on your behalf.

A health care proxy is a trusted person you select to make health care decisions for you. To learn more, visit the Health Care Proxy page.

You may have access to free legal assistance through DSS' Office of Civil Justice (OCJ) if you are:

• Facing eviction
• Need help with an immigration matter
• Facing other legal challenges

If you are facing discrimination, wage, theft, or any employment-related legal issue, you can reach out to the OCJ by email.

OCJ legal services are free and you do not have to be an existing HRA client to apply.

Legal services are available regardless of immigration status.

Email

civiljustice@hra.nyc.gov

Learn more about OCJ and free legal services.