Finding a Lawyer in North Carolina
North Carolina Lawyer Referral Service
NC Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) is a nonprofit public service sponsored by the North Carolina Bar Association Foundation to assist citizens in need of legal assistance. The LRS does not make referrals for pro bono legal services.
- For information about the service, there’s a Frequently Asked Questions page.
- To use the Service online, use the request form.
- There is no charge to call and speak with an LRS specialist, use the request form, or to have a referral given to you. There will only be a charge once you consult with an attorney.
- LRS lawyers will charge no more than $50 for the initial 30-minute consultation, if the caller tells the lawyer they were referred by LRS.
- The LRS can be reached by phone or email:
- (919) 677-8574
- LRS@ncbar.org
LawHelpNC
LawHelpNC helps low and moderate income people find free legal aid programs in North Carolina and answers questions about legal rights. LawHelp also includes links to state and local legal assistance programs for all 50 states. It also includes a package of DIY child custody information and other helpful tips for going to court.
Legal Aid of North Carolina
Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide organization that provides free legal services in civil matters to eligible low-income people. The website describes eligibility criteria and provides contact information for the 24 local offices around the state.
North Carolina Advocates for Justice Directory
This directory of attorneys who are members of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ) is provided as a service to the public.The attorneys listed in the database have agreed to provide free initial legal information through a phone call or email exchange. The participants will not provide legal advice but will provide you with information about the law. Consultations initiated typically will last no more than 10 minutes. The directory can be found here.
Free do-it-yourself Clinics (in alphabetic order):
Child Custody Clinics
Legal Aid of North Carolina’s free child custody clinics teach participants how to file a child custody action in court without the help of a lawyer. Participants receive all the necessary legal forms and can ask general questions of Legal Aid lawyers. (Specific legal advice for individual cases is not provided at these clinics.) Clinics are FREE and anyone can attend, but you will need to register in advance. Click here to register for a clinic near you.
Criminal Record Expunction Clinics
Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Free Expungement clinic explains North Carolina expunction law to help you determine if you are eligible to have one or more charges removed from your criminal record. You can also ask general questions to a volunteer attorney through a webinar. If you determine that you qualify for an expunction during the clinic, you can request additional assistance from Legal Aid. Specific legal advice is not provided at this clinic. Clinics are FREE and anyone can attend, but you will need to register in advance. Click here to register for a clinic near you.
Divorce Clinics
Legal Aid of North Carolina’s free simple divorce clinics teach participants how to file a simple divorce action in court without the help of a lawyer. Participants receive all the necessary legal forms and can ask general questions of Legal Aid lawyers. (Specific legal advice for individual cases is not provided at these clinics.) Clinics are FREE and anyone can attend, but you will need to register in advance. Click here to register for a clinic near you.
Employee Rights Clinics
Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Free Employee Rights clinic will teach you about your rights as an employee under North Carolina law and federal law. Topics include employment at will, right to work, discrimination, retaliation, and unemployment benefits. They will give you a packet of information and you can ask general questions of a volunteer attorney via webinar. Specific legal advice is not provided at this clinic. Clinics are FREE and anyone can attend, but you will need to register in advance. Click here to register for a clinic near you.
Tenant Rights Clinic
Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Tenant Rights clinic explains your rights as a tenant and what to do if your landlord will not make repairs. You will watch an instructional video and can ask general questions to a volunteer attorney through a webinar. Specific advice is not provided at the clinic. You can request a callback from Legal Aid to see if you qualify for additional help. Clinics are FREE and anyone can attend, but you will need to register in advance. Click here to register for a clinic near you.
Wills and Power of Attorney
Legal Aid of North Carolina’s free Wills and Power of Attorney clinics teach participants how to complete a Health Care Power of Attorney and/or Living Will document without the help of a lawyer. Participants receive all the necessary legal forms and can ask general questions of Legal Aid lawyers. (Specific legal advice for individual cases is not provided at these clinics.) Clinics are FREE and anyone can attend, but you will need to register in advance. Click here to register for a clinic near you.
Finding A Lawyer in Other States
American Bar Association Lawyer Referral Directory
For lawyer referrals in other states, the ABA Lawyer Referral Directory is a collection of links to state and local lawyer referral services.
ABA Consumers’ Guide to Legal Help: Learn More/FAQs
The ABA FindLawHelp.org is an information page with sections devoted to issues like Hiring a Lawyer and Finding Free Help.
Martindale.com
Search for a lawyer by name, location, or area of practice at Martindale.com.
Online Legal Information
The American Bar Association Public Portal
The ABA’s Resources for the Public page includes information on the following topics:
- Learn how courts work
- What is a lawyer?
- When do I need a lawyer?
- How do I find a lawyer?
- How do I know if a lawyer is right for me?
- How do I settle on a fee with a lawyer?
- What if I am unhappy with my lawyer?
NCBA Lawyer Discipline
The NCBA Lawyer Discipline page includes resources and procedures for disputes with attorneys and checking for previous disciplinary actions.
North Carolina Family Law Resources
The website of this Raleigh, North Carolina, firm offers a wide array of legal forms, articles, and other materials relating to divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, property distribution, domestic violence, and separation.
North Carolina Attorney General’s Office
The North Carolina Attorney General’s Public Protection webpage has information for a wide array of legal issues, including for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking. They also provide information for victims of scams and frauds, consumer rip-offs and identity theft, and other issues involving internet safety.