Provides bilingual legal information and advice for a broad range of legal issues.
Provides legal information and advice for the following issues depending on attorney availability:
- Auto accidents
- Birth injuries
- Consumer law
- Criminal defense
- Family law
- Finance
- Immigration
- Landlord-tenant law
- Medical negligence
- Personal injury
- Property law
- Worker's rights/wage claims
Offers free legal assistance for low-income tenants with an eviction hearing at the courthouse. Services are provided on a drop-in basis.
- Offers free legal assistance to low-income tenants involved in residential eviction court proceedings. Legal assistants interview tenants and attorneys review all relevant documents.
- Attorneys will represent in court and to resolve filed eviction lawsuit; attorneys will also negotiate with the landlord and represent the tenant.
- Attorneys are unable to assist with evictions from emergency shelters or residential care facilities (such as nursing homes). Attorneys may assist those being evicted from permanent, transitional, and manufactured (mobile home) housing.
- Drop-in child care provided by the Children's Home Society at the Regional Justice Center for parents while they appear in court.
Provides advocacy and access to community-based services for youth, ages 12 through 24.
Staff will need to speak with the youth directly.
Provides civil legal advocacy to youth primarily between 12-24 years old. TeamChild’s legal team works to secure community-based services, help youth access appropriate education, healthcare, mental/behavioral health resources, safe and stable housing, navigate school discipline, and works with youth incarcerated in the Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) system. Advocacy efforts focus on education and school-related issues such as enrollment, school discipline and access to special education; securing safe and stable housing for youth; and helping clients access public benefits, including health care, mental health services, DDA and other support. Advocacy also includes post-conviction relief, including records sealing, restitution modifications, and assisting youth with reentry supports when returning to community from incarceration.
Note: TeamChild does not provide criminal defense representation to youth or adults involved in the juvenile delinquency or adult criminal systems, nor does it offer family law representation, including child custody issues.
Provides assistance to low-income residents of King County with an eviction notice, subsidy termination or who requires a reasonable accommodation due to a disability.
Assistance is available to help reduce homelessness by preventing illegal and unnecessary evictions. Assistance is provided to vulnerable tenants by focusing on negotiated resolutions that preserve tenant housing, preserve subsidies, or allow for relocation to suitable housing without the stigma of eviction.
Tenants may be scheduled for an appointment with an attorney, who can provide free legal assistance ranging from self-help information to ongoing representation through negotiation with the landlord or representation in court.
This service does not provide rental assistance.
Provides legal services in eviction cases, subsidy terminations and reasonable accommodation requests for King County residents.
Seattle residents must be AT or BELOW 80% AMI. King County residents outside Seattle must be AT or BELOW 200% FPL.
Provides civil legal aid services to low-income tenants with pending eviction, subsidy terminations and requests for reasonable accommodation in King County.
Tenant Law Center attorneys can assist with evictions from permanent and subsidized housing. A notice is not required
Tenant Law Center can assist with:
- Pending evictions for residents who have not yet received a Summons and Complaint.
- Preventing Section 8 subsidy terminations for King County residents (cannot do reinstatements); must have written notice of pending subsidy termination.
- Helps tenants in King County get reasonable accommodations after the initial request was denied.
Takes complaints and investigates land use violations in unincorporated King County; operates a 24-hour hotline to report violations.
Takes complaints and investigates situations that include:
- Accumulation of junk and debris
- Clearing or grading without permits
- Construction without a permit
- Dangerous or open-to-entry buildings
- Illegally placed mobile homes or factory-assembled structures
- Irresponsible or hazardous development
- Livestock infractions
- Open wells and other hazardous conditions
- Operation of an illegal business
- Storage of junk cars
- Zoning code infractions
Investigates possible code violations.
Operates a 24-hour telephone hotline for reports of serious violations of environmental laws during off hours.
The hotline allows staff to react and halt damage.
Helps eligible households in Seattle who are at imminent risk of losing their homes
The Housing Stability and Placement Program at El Centro de la Raza aims to stabilize housing for eligible households in Seattle who are at imminent risk of losing their homes. The program offers individualized case plans, needs assessments, crisis resolution strategies, ongoing stability planning, and referrals to other programs to provide comprehensive housing assistance.
Offers free legal assistance for low-income tenants with an eviction hearing at the courthouse. Services are provided on a drop-in basis.
- Offers free legal assistance to low-income tenants involved in residential eviction court proceedings. Legal assistants interview tenants and attorneys review all relevant documents.
- Attorneys will represent in court and to resolve filed eviction lawsuit; attorneys will also negotiate with the landlord and represent the tenant.
- Attorneys are unable to assist with evictions from emergency shelters or residential care facilities (such as nursing homes). Attorneys may assist those being evicted from permanent, transitional, and manufactured (mobile home) housing.
- Drop-in child care provided by the Children's Home Society at the Regional Justice Center for parents while they appear in court.
Supports better communication and mutual understanding between landlords and manufactured homeowners. Resolves disputes between manufactured homeowners and landlords concerning alleged violations of the Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord Tenant Act.
Supports better communication and promotes mutual understanding between landlords and manufactured home owners.
Provides an equitable and low-cost option for manufactured home owners and landlords to resolve disputes concerning alleged violations of the Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord Tenant Act.
Helps opposing parties negotiate disputes, determine whether further investigation is needed, decide whether a violation has occurred, and issue fines and other penalties when appropriate.
Offers free legal assistance to tenants involved in landlord disputes such as threats to evict. Attorneys will offer legal advice and referrals.
Offers free legal assistance to tenants involved in eviction disputes.
Attorneys will offer legal advice and referrals; attorneys may also be able to negotiate with the landlord or represent the tenant.
Operates legal clinics across King County where free 30-minute legal consultations are available for individuals who are not already represented by an attorney.
Operates legal clinics providing free 30 minute consultations with an attorney at multiple locations across King County. As of 9/2024, most clinics are telephonic, but there may be limited in-person availability in Seattle and Kent. Details will be provided to clients during intake screening.
Clinic attorneys can:
- Determine whether the client has a legal problem
- Suggest possible options
- Help answer papers, summons and requests
- Provide appropriate referrals
Neighborhood Legal Clinic attorneys may not have expertise in all areas of the law, but they will make every attempt to answer questions accurately.
Attorneys CANNOT give advice on criminal legal issues or provide representation on any legal matters.
Loren Miller Bar Association Legal Clinic offered by King County Bar Association Neighborhood Legal Clinics at Loren Miller Bar Association (telephonic)
Operates a legal clinic where a free 30-minute legal consultation is available for individuals with cases in King County who are not already represented by an attorney. Focus is on serving African American clients but clinic is open to all.
Operates a legal clinic providing a free 30-minute consultation with an attorney (60 minutes if an interpreter or other accommodation is needed)
Clinic is open to all, but particular focus is on providing culturally-informed legal services in a safe and welcoming environment to individuals who identify as African American or Black. This clinic is staffed primarily by attorneys of color.
Clinic attorneys can:
- Determine whether the client has a legal problem
- Suggest possible options
- Help answer papers, summons and requests
- Provide appropriate referrals
Neighborhood Legal Clinic attorneys may not have expertise in all areas of the law, but they will make every attempt to answer questions accurately.
Attorneys CANNOT give advice on criminal legal issues or provide representation on any legal matters.
Attorneys work with interpreters to give consultation and legal advice on family law, immigration law, landlord-tenant disputes, employment law and other areas. Call for an appointment. Focuses on serving limited English-speaking Koreans.
Operates legal clinics providing free 30 minute consultations with an attorney.
Focus is on Korean and Korean-speaking clients.
Clinic attorneys can:
- Determine whether the client has a legal problem
- Suggest possible options
- Help answer papers, summons and requests
- Provide appropriate referrals
Neighborhood legal clinic attorneys may not have expertise in all areas of the law, but they will make every attempt to answer questions accurately.
Attorneys CANNOT give advice on criminal legal issues or provide representation on any legal matters.
Attorneys work with interpreters to give consultation and legal advice on family law, immigration law, landlord-tenant disputes, employment law, and other areas. Call for an appointment. Focuses on serving limited English-speaking Asians.
Chinese Information and Service Center, Asian Bar Association of Washington, and Asian Counseling and Referral Service partner with the King County Bar Association to provide a free legal clinic.
Pro bono attorneys work with staff and volunteer interpreters to give consultation and legal advice around family law, immigration law, landlord-tenant disputes, employment law, and other areas. As of 9/2024, most consults are virtual but in-person appointments may be available if needed (more information provided to clients during intake phone call). Call (206) 957-8544 for an appointment. Appointments are typically Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30 PM.
International District Legal Clinic
Chinese Information and Services Center
611 S Lane St.
Seattle, WA 98144
Responds to complaints of substandard housing, dangerous/vacant buildings, zoning violations on private property, landlord/property manager actions and vegetation overgrowth.
Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) housing and zoning inspectors respond to complaints about:
- Minimum housing standards
- Land use violations
- Shorelines
- "Just cause" eviction
- Vacant and unfit buildings
- Lock-outs
- Rent increases without proper notice
- Landlord or property manager retaliation
- Landlord or property manager entering a unit without both notice and consent
- Prohibiting tenant organizing
- Landlord or property manager harassment Health and safety are the department's first priorities for investigation and resolution of reported violations.
Health concerns include tenant complaints about conditions that may cause mold in rental units, such as excessive moisture.
Seattle’s Housing and Building Maintenance Code (HBMC) contains requirements designed to keep building occupants dry and warm.
In a building maintained in compliance with code requirements, all components of the building including foundation, roof, walls and windows are reasonably weather tight, watertight and damp-free.
SDCI conducts inspections of the property named in the complaint and contacts the landlord.
SDCI sets a time frame for voluntary resolution.
Code compliance specialists will take cases that violate housing codes, and will require rescission of bad eviction notices and correction of unsafe or unpermitted housing conditions.
The law department will eventually sue violators if necessary.
Also performs investigations of illegal evictions.
New enforcement for leases entered into after 1/15/17.
Refer if:
- The landlord requires security deposit/nonrefundable move-in fees that are more than first month's rent
- The landlord requires nonrefundable move-in fees other than for tenant screening report, cleaning at termination of tenancy, criminal background check, or credit report
- The landlord requires a pet deposit that is more than 25% of first month's rent or any other pet fee/rent
- The landlord refuses to enter payment plan for security deposit/nonrefundable move-in fees, pet deposit, or last month's rent
- The deposit not returned and no move-in checklist was signed by landlord and tenant at move-in
- No statement of deposit or deposit returned 21 days after tenant moved out
Advance notice may be needed for an interpreter.
Provides legal education materials and tools that give basic information on a number of legal problems.
Provides legal education materials and tools that give basic information on a number of legal problems, and in some cases, detailed instructions and forms to help with self-representation.
Provides information on free legal aid programs in Washington, including basic eligibility and contact information.
Topics include family law, housing, domestic violence and anti-harassment, immigration, civil rights, consumer and debt, government benefits, health, youth law and education, employment/farm worker rights, Native American issues, and some criminal law issues, including record expungement and victim's rights.
Provides advocacy and access to community-based services for youth, ages 12 through 24. Staff will need to speak with the youth directly.
Provides civil legal advocacy to youth primarily between 12-24 years old. TeamChild’s legal team works to secure community-based services, help youth access appropriate education, healthcare, mental/behavioral health resources, safe and stable housing, navigate school discipline, and works with youth incarcerated in the Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) system. Advocacy efforts focus on education and school-related issues such as enrollment, school discipline and access to special education; securing safe and stable housing for youth; and helping clients access public benefits, including health care, mental health services, DDA and other support. Advocacy also includes post-conviction relief, including records sealing, restitution modifications, and assisting youth with reentry supports when returning to community from incarceration.
Note: TeamChild does not provide criminal defense representation to youth or adults involved in the juvenile delinquency or adult criminal systems, nor does it offer family law representation, including child custody issues.
Hosts a free monthly legal clinic with a focus on LGBTQ issues; provides information in a variety of areas including family law, debt and bankruptcy, divorce/dissolution, employment discrimination, and transgender legal issues.
Hosts a legal clinic specifically designed to address the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals and couples. This clinic is run by QLaw Foundation in partnership with the King County Bar Association.
The clinic is open to everyone regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
At the clinic, an attorney will meet with clients for 30 minutes and provide individualized legal advice and information.
Clinic attorneys will answer questions and provide information in a variety of areas including family law, immigration, debt and bankruptcy, divorce/dissolution, employment discrimination, and transgender legal issues.
Provides free 45-minute appointments for advice on civil legal issues. Attorneys at the clinic do not typically provide representation. Serves low-income residents of East, Northeast and Southeast King County (does not serve Seattle residents.)
Provides free 45-minute to 1-hour appointments with an attorney for advice on civil legal issues such as: consumer, finance/debt, employment, housing, benefits. Appointments are required. Clinics are currently telephonic.
Attorneys at the clinic are not able to provide representation.
Provides advocacy and access to community-based services for youth, ages 12 through 24.
Staff will need to speak with the youth directly.
Provides civil legal advocacy to youth primarily between 12-24 years old. TeamChild’s legal team works to secure community-based services, help youth access appropriate education, healthcare, mental/behavioral health resources, safe and stable housing, navigate school discipline, and works with youth incarcerated in the Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) system. Advocacy efforts focus on education and school-related issues such as enrollment, school discipline and access to special education; securing safe and stable housing for youth; and helping clients access public benefits, including health care, mental health services, DDA and other support. Advocacy also includes post-conviction relief, including records sealing, restitution modifications, and assisting youth with reentry supports when returning to community from incarceration.
Note: TeamChild does not provide criminal defense representation to youth or adults involved in the juvenile delinquency or adult criminal systems, nor does it offer family law representation, including child custody issues.
Provides advocacy and access to community-based services for youth, ages 12 through 24.
Staff will need to speak with the youth directly.
Provides civil legal advocacy to youth primarily between 12-24 years old. TeamChild’s legal team works to secure community-based services, help youth access appropriate education, healthcare, mental/behavioral health resources, safe and stable housing, navigate school discipline, and works with youth incarcerated in the Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) system. Advocacy efforts focus on education and school-related issues such as enrollment, school discipline and access to special education; securing safe and stable housing for youth; and helping clients access public benefits, including health care, mental health services, DDA and other support. Advocacy also includes post-conviction relief, including records sealing, restitution modifications, and assisting youth with reentry supports when returning to community from incarceration.
Note: TeamChild does not provide criminal defense representation to youth or adults involved in the juvenile delinquency or adult criminal systems, nor does it offer family law representation, including child custody issues.
Provides education, advocacy and information on tenant rights. No direct legal advice available. Counseling services include tips for community organizing with neighbors and self-help strategies to prevent housing loss. Email for assistance.
Provides information on landlord-tenant laws and legal rights and options for tenants with immediate housing problems, including eviction.
One-on-one counseling is available.
Assists in organizing groups of tenants to bring about landlord compliance with the Landlord/Tenant Act and existing housing codes.
Provides community education on tenant issues, advocates for tenants' rights and offers referrals for rent assistance.
Does not provide legal counsel, but does provide referrals to appropriate counsel.
Offers rental assistance, case management and eviction prevention.
Assists African diaspora immigrant and refugee households to prevent evictions by negotiating with landlords. Works directly with the Housing Justice Project, helping to interpret, translate, and navigate any cultural differences that may arise between them and immigrant clients. Also provides legal referrals.
Enforces several ordinances of the city of Auburn. Taking enforcement action may be in the form of fines, penalties, and challenges in obtaining permits or licenses in the future.
Enforces several ordinances of the city of Auburn. Ensures that the proper permits have been issued for construction of projects, land clearing, grading and filing of property, placement of signs, and that businesses are operating in compliance with the City of Auburn Zoning Code.
Common violations include the following:
- Overgrown grass and weeds
- Junk accumulation
- Vegetation encroachment
- Trash, litter and debris
- Inoperable vehicles
- Illegal parking
- Graffiti
- Nuisance Animals
- Operating a business without a license
Taking enforcement action may be in the form of fines, penalties and challenges in obtaining permits or licenses in the future. Staff conducts routine inspections throughout the city to note the condition of residences and businesses.