Military Legal Assistance Offices
Visit the U.S. Armed Forces Legal Assistance Locator to locate the nearest military legal assistance office (click on "Advanced" and "Accept"). Servicemembers and their families may access free legal assistance at these offices. See our Working with a Lawyer publication for more details on eligibility.
Legal Aid and Pro Bono Programs
Visit FindLegalHelp.org to locate programs that provide free civil legal assistance. These organizations may or may not have military-specific services. Contact these programs for more details on eligibility.
Lawyer Referral Programs
Visit the Lawyer Referral Directory to locate programs that can connect you to a lawyer who charges for legal services. In the search box, type your state, county, or city to find local programs. Some attorneys with these programs, however, may offer discounted initial consultations or may charge reduced fees based on your income. Contact these programs for more information.
Military/Veteran Specific Programs
If programs are listed below, they are designed to assist military members and/or veterans with legal matters. See the specific details and contact these programs for more information. Also visit nationwide programs.
ABA Free Legal Answers
If you can't afford a lawyer, ABA Free Legal Answers may be able to help. For most civil (non-criminal) legal questions, if your state participates, click on "Select the state where you live" and click on your state to ask a question.
For VA benefits, discharge upgrades, or other veteran-related legal questions: Choose "ABA Federal" in the "Select the state where you live" dropdown menu to ask a discharge upgrade or VA-related question, and receive an answer from an attorney.
Veterans Legal Support Network (VLSN)
PO Box 34247
Omaha, NE 68134
and
Bellevue University Military and Veterans Service Center
2801 Harvell Cir.
Bellevue, NE 68005
Phone: 402-765-8387 (VETS)
Person of Contact: Mick Wagoner
Visit VSLN Website
Areas Served: Nebraska statewide and Western IowaVLSN's main services include the following: (1) Discharge upgrades, (2) Coordinate for defense counsel and veterans in the justice system with service providers such as peer support, substance abuse, homeless advocates and VA services, (3) Assist Active Duty and Family members when uniformed Legal Assistance Office cannot, (4) Wills and advanced directives for lower income veterans and spouses in elder care, (4) Work with prisoners on non-criminal legal needs such as benefits appeals, and (5) VA benefit appeals to BVA and CAVC. VLSN provides the above services free to veterans at or below 200% of poverty, with a rated disability, or over age 65. VLSN provides reduced fee services for veterans between 200-300% poverty, and those with cases appealed successfully to the CAVC that involve either attorney's fees or 10% of award if no fees are awarded.