The Project for the Empowerment of Survivors (PES) is comprised of trained legal advocates, attorneys, and law students who can provide free, confidential, and healing-centered legal advice and information to survivors. The PES Legal Helpline offers advice and information on issues such as housing, protective orders, employment accommodations, name changes, immigration, access to public benefits, child custody and support, termination of parental rights, crime victim compensation and Title IX related issues. The PES does not provide in-person, in-court, or ongoing representation. To access PES legal services, contact the Statewide Hotline at 1.800.838.8238, chat at www.vadata.org/chat, or text at 804.793.9999. (Chat feature works best on a computer or tablet.)
Legal Assistance
Included in this list are organizations that provide free or low-cost legal services to victims of abuse and others who qualify. Even if the organization does not have a lawyer available to represent you in court, you may want to ask if there is a lawyer who you can consult with to get advice. Please note that we list the organizations by the town/city or county where the office is located – however, many offices may likely serve multiple counties. We indicate the “counties served” whenever possible. You can click “View All” to look through the complete list of organizations.
All counties
The Project for the Empowerment of Survivors (PES)
Albemarle
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society - Charlottesville
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society (CVLAS) provides free civil legal services, including family law and domestic violence law services, to low-incoming people living in, or having problems arising in, the locations that it serves. You can see the areas of law they handle here: http://cvlas.org/our-services/. Serving: the city of Charlottesville, and the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa, Greene, and Nelson.
Arlington
Legal Services of Northern Virginia - Arlington office
LSNV is a full service, non-profit law firm that aims to give free quality legal assistance to elderly, disabled, or low-income individuals. We provide services regarding Consumer Law; Elder Law; Family Law; Housing Law; Public Benefits; Child Advocacy & Education Law; Veterans Law Project; and Support for Re-Entry and Return to Communities. Staff and volunteers provide legal advice, brief services, and representation in administrative hearings and in court. Serving: Arlington.
Campbell
Virginia Legal Aid Society - Lynchburg office
Virginia Legal Aid Society (VLAS) provides free civil legal services to low-income Virginians, who reside in certain areas of the state. VLAS helps qualifying individuals address legal concerns via providing information, advice, and representation. Resources are provided for the following: Consumer; Criminal/Traffic; Education; Elder; Employment; Family/Domestic Violence; Health and Healthcare; Housing/Landlord Tenant; Public Benefits. VLAS (Lynchburg) serves the City of Lynchburg and the counties of: Amherst, Appomattox, Campbell, and Halifax.
Dinwiddie
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society - Petersburg office
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society (CVLAS) provides free civil legal services, including family law and domestic violence law services, to low-incoming people living in, or having problems arising in, the locations that it serves. You can see the areas of law they handle here: http://cvlas.org/our-services/. Serving: the cities of Petersburg, Hopewell, and Colonial Heights, the town of Ettrick, and the counties of Surry, Prince George, Dinwiddie, and Charles City
Essex
Rappahannock Legal Services - Tappahannock office
Rappahannock Legal Services helps low-income clients with civil legal matters, such as certain family, administrative, housing, and consumer matters. The vast majority of RLS’ cases are either family (primarily custody, support and domestic violence), consumer finance, income maintenance/health, or housing. For a full list of the types of cases they handle, go to the “Need help?” section of their website. Serving: Westmoreland, Northumberland, Richmond, Lancaster, Essex, King and Queen, and King William counties.
Fairfax
Ayuda
Ayuda’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program primarily offers services to low-income immigrant victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking. Services include: emergency and transitional shelter, food, clothing, medical and mental health care, individual and group therapy for DC’s immigrant residents, and case management. Ayuda serves DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Legal Services of Northern Virginia - Alexandria office
Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV) is a full service, non-profit law firm that aims to give free quality legal assistance to elderly, disabled, or low-income individuals. We provide services regarding Consumer Law; Elder Law; Family Law; Housing Law; Public Benefits; Child Advocacy & Education Law; Veterans Law Project; and Support for Re-Entry and Return to Communities. Serving: City of Alexandria. Staff and volunteers provide legal advice, brief services, and representation in administrative hearings and in court.
Legal Services of Northern Virginia - Fairfax office
LSNV is a full service, non-profit law firm that aims to give free quality legal assistance to elderly, disabled, or low-income individuals. We provide services regarding Consumer Law; Elder Law; Family Law; Housing Law; Public Benefits; Child Advocacy & Education Law; Veterans Law Project; and Support for Re-Entry and Return to Communities. Staff and volunteers provide legal advice, brief services, and representation in administrative hearings and in court. Serving: the City and County of Fairfax.
Legal Services of Northern Virginia - Route 1 office
Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV) is a full service, non-profit law firm that aims to give free quality legal assistance to elderly, disabled, or low-income individuals. We provide services regarding Consumer Law; Elder Law; Family Law; Housing Law; Public Benefits; Child Advocacy & Education Law; Veterans Law Project; and Support for Re-Entry and Return to Communities. Serving: City of Alexandria. Staff and volunteers provide legal advice, brief services, and representation in administrative hearings and in court. Serves: Fairfax County
Tahirih Justice Center
The Tahirih Justice Center works to protect immigrant women and girls seeking justice in the United States from gender-based violence. This center distributes its pro bono resources to provide a combination of legal services, advocacy, and public education programs. Tahirih’s holistic, client-centered legal services include screening, assessment, counsel and advice, and/or full-scale legal representation. Our staff are experts in the areas of Gender-based asylum (for individuals who have suffered or fear that they will suffer persecution in their home country); Violence Against Women’s Act Petitions (for battered spouses, parents, and/or children); T Visas (for survivors of trafficking);
U Visas (for survivors of certain types of crimes on U.S. soil); Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (for abused, abandoned, or neglected children). We also have a Forced Marriage Initiative to assist individuals facing or fleeing forced marriage in the United States or abroad. In addition to addressing our clients’ immediate physical needs, we also prioritize their mental and emotional well-being by providing regular Safety planning; Supportive counseling; and Mental health screenings. By providing social services to our clients, we help them stabilize their day-to-day lives and promote their safety and well-being as they pursue justice in the legal system.
Frederick
Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc. - Winchester office
This Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc. (BRLS) office has staff available to assist you Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 9:00 a.m. and 2 p.m. BRLS helps clients navigate legal issues associated with domestic violence and divorce, debt, land-lord tenant disputes, and more by providing services ranging from legal advice to ongoing representation in court. BRLS does not handle criminal matters. Serves the City of Winchester and the counties of Clarke, Frederick, northern Shenandoah, and Warren.
Hampton
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia - Peninsula Office
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (LASEV) helps low-income residents with various civil cases, including, but not limited to, the following: Divorce/Protective Orders; Custody/Visitation/Child Support; Landlord/Tenant Matters; SSI Appeals; Contracts and Warranties; Collections; Public Benefit Denials; Education; Powers of Attorney/Wills. (We do not offer legal assistance in criminal or traffic matters.)Serves the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and Williamsburg, and the counties of Gloucester, James City, Mathews, Middlesex, and York.
Henrico
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society - Richmond office
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society (CVLAS) provides free civil legal services, including family law and domestic violence law services, to low-incoming people living in, or having problems arising in, the locations that it serves. You can see the areas of law they handle here: http://cvlas.org/our-services/. Serving: the city of Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, and Powhatan.
Loudoun
Legal Services of Northern Virginia - Loudoun office
LSNV is a full service, non-profit law firm that aims to give free quality legal assistance to elderly, disabled, or low-income individuals. We provide services regarding Consumer Law; Elder Law; Family Law; Housing Law; Public Benefits; Child Advocacy & Education Law; Veterans Law Project; and Support for Re-Entry and Return to Communities. Staff and volunteers provide legal advice, brief services, and representation in administrative hearings and in court. Serving: Loudoun county.
Montgomery
Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society - Christiansburg field office
Southwestern Virginia Legal Aid Society (SVLAS) helps clients with a number of civil legal issues, including: Consumer / Debt Collection; Custody & Child Support; Divorce; Domestic Violence; Employment; Housing; Public Benefits; and
Other Legal Problems. Serving: Radford, and the counties of Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski.
Norfolk
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia - Tidewater Office
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (LASEV) helps low-income residents with various civil cases, including, but not limited to, the following: Divorce/Protective Orders; Custody/Visitation/Child Support; Landlord/Tenant Matters; SSI Appeals; Contracts and Warranties; Collections; Public Benefit Denials; Education; Powers of Attorney/Wills. (We do not offer legal assistance in criminal or traffic matters.) Serves the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth.
Pittsylvania
Virginia Legal Aid Society - Danville office
Virginia Legal Aid Society (VLAS) provides free civil legal services to low-income Virginians, who reside in certain areas of the state. VLAS helps qualifying individuals address legal concerns via providing information, advice, and representation. Resources are provided for the following: Consumer; Criminal/Traffic; Education; Elder; Employment; Family/Domestic Violence; Health and Healthcare; Housing/Landlord Tenant; Public Benefits. VLAS (Danville) serves the Cities of Danville and Martinsville and counties: Henry, Patrick, Pittsylvania.
Prince Edward county
Virginia Legal Aid Society - Farmville office
Virginia Legal Aid Society (VLAS) provides free civil legal services to low-income Virginians, who reside in certain areas of the state. VLAS helps qualifying individuals address legal concerns via providing information, advice, and representation. Resources are provided for the following: Consumer; Criminal/Traffic; Education; Elder; Employment; Family/Domestic Violence; Health and Healthcare; Housing/Landlord Tenant; Public Benefits. VLAS (Farmville) serves the following counties: Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Prince Edward, and Brunswick.
Prince William county
Legal Services of Northern Virginia - Prince William office
LSNV is a full service, non-profit law firm that aims to give free quality legal assistance to elderly, disabled, or low-income individuals. We provide services regarding Consumer Law; Elder Law; Family Law; Housing Law; Public Benefits; Child Advocacy & Education Law; Veterans Law Project; and Support for Re-Entry and Return to Communities. Staff and volunteers provide legal advice, brief services, and representation in administrative hearings and in court. Serving: Prince William county.
Roanoke
Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc. - Roanoke office
This Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc. (BRLS) office works closely with the Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley (LASRV). As a result, BRLS clients sometimes may receive assistance form LASRV staff members. Contact the office between 9:00 and 11:45 a.m. Monday through Friday, and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. BRLS helps clients navigate legal issues associated with domestic violence and divorce, debt, landlord tenant disputes, and more by providing services ranging from legal advice to ongoing representation in court. BRLS does not handle criminal matters. Serves the cities of Bedford, Roanoke, and Salem, and the counties of Bedford, Botetourt, Craig, Franklin, and Roanoke.
Rockbridge
Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc. - Lexington office
This Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc. (BRLS) office has staff available to provide you with assistance Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. BRLS helps clients navigate legal issues associated with domestic violence and divorce, debt, land-lord tenant disputes, and more by providing services ranging from legal advice to ongoing representation in court. BRLS does not handle criminal matters. Serves the cities of Buena Vista, Covington, and Lexington, and the counties of Alleghany, Bath, and Rockbridge.
Rockingham
Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc. - Harrisonburg office
As the administrative headquarters of Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc. (BRLS), staff are available to provide assistance Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 12:45 p.m. BRLS helps clients navigate legal issues associated with domestic violence and divorce, debt, land-lord tenant disputes, and more by providing services ranging from legal advice to ongoing representation in court. BRLS does not handle criminal matters. Serving the Shenandoah and Roanoke Valleys of Virginia.
Smyth
Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society - Castlewood field office
Southwestern Virginia Legal Aid Society (SVLAS) helps clients with a number of civil legal issues, including: Consumer / Debt Collection; Custody & Child Support; Divorce; Domestic Violence; Employment; Housing; Public Benefits; and
Other Legal Problems. They do not handle criminal issues or traffic tickets.
Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society - Marion field office
Southwestern Virginia Legal Aid Society (SVLAS) helps clients with a number of civil legal issues, including: Consumer / Debt Collection; Custody & Child Support; Divorce; Domestic Violence; Employment; Housing; Public Benefits; and
Other Legal Problems. They do not handle criminal issues or traffic tickets. Serving: the cities of Galax and Bristol, and the counties of Smyth, Wythe, Bland, Washington, Grayson, Carroll.
Spotsylvania
Legal Services of Northern Virginia - Fredericksburg office
Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV) is a full service, non-profit law firm that aims to give free quality legal assistance to elderly, disabled, or low-income individuals. We provide services regarding Consumer Law; Elder Law; Family Law; Housing Law; Public Benefits; Child Advocacy & Education Law; Veterans Law Project; and Support for Re-Entry and Return to Communities. Staff and volunteers provide legal advice, brief services, and representation in administrative hearings and in court.
Rappahannock Legal Services - Culpeper office
Rappahannock Legal Services helps low-income clients with civil legal matters, such as certain family, administrative, housing, and consumer matters. The vast majority of RLS’ cases are either family (primarily custody, support and domestic violence), consumer finance, income maintenance/health, or housing. For a full list of the types of cases they handle, go to the “Need help?” section of their website. Serving: Culpeper, Orange, Madison, Rappahannock, and Fauquier counties.
Rappahannock Legal Services - Fredericksburg office
Rappahannock Legal Services helps low-income clients with civil legal matters, such as certain family, administrative, housing, and consumer matters. The vast majority of RLS’ cases are either family (primarily custody, support and domestic violence), consumer finance, income maintenance/health, or housing. For a full list of the types of cases they handle, go to the “Need help?” section of their website. Serving: Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline counties.
Suffolk
Virginia Legal Aid Society - Suffolk office
Virginia Legal Aid Society (VLAS) provides free civil legal services to low-income Virginians, who reside in certain areas of the state. VLAS helps qualifying individuals address legal concerns via providing information, advice, and representation. Resources are provided for the following: Consumer; Criminal/Traffic; Education; Elder; Employment; Family/Domestic Violence; Health and Healthcare; Housing/Landlord Tenant; Public Benefits. VLAS (Suffolk) serves the Cities of Franklin, Suffolk, and Emporia and Counties: Isle of Wight, Southampton, Greensville and Sussex.
Virginia Beach
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia - Chesapeake Bay Office
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (LASEV) helps low-income residents with various civil cases, including, but not limited to, the following: Divorce/Protective Orders; Custody/Visitation/Child Support; Landlord/Tenant Matters; SSI Appeals; Contracts and Warranties; Collections; Public Benefit Denials; Education; Powers of Attorney/Wills. (We do not offer legal assistance in criminal or traffic matters.) Serves the cities of Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, and the counties of Accomack and Northampton.