Provides free legal consultations for individuals on civil rights issues such as Americans with Disabilities Act, discrimination, prisoner rights, excessive force, search and seizure, free speech and voting rights.
This is a partner legal clinic operated by the Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Washington. King County Bar Association schedules clients for appointments for this clinic. Provides a free 30 minute consultation with an attorney on federal civil rights legal issues.
*Most appointments via telephone with limited in-person availability in Seattle. Legal Clinic Schedulers will provide clients with more information during the intake process*
Prioritizes clients with issues such as
- Inmates receiving inadequate medical care or inadequate counsel as well as other inadequate conditions of confinement
- Employment discrimination
- Sexual harassment
- Cases involving police misconduct
Also advises individuals on issues such as
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- Discrimination based on any protected class
- Discrimination related to race or gender
- Prisoner rights and/or prison mistreatment
- Excessive force
- Search and seizure
- Free speech
- Voting rights
- Gun rights
- Title II Housing
- Unlawful sentence
- Ineffective assistance of counsel (In a criminal case ONLY- where an attorney's mistakes were the reason you lost your case)
- Existing cases in federal court
Clinic attorneys can do the following:
- Determine whether the client has a legal problem
- Suggest possible options
- Help answer papers, summons and requests
- Provide appropriate referrals
Clinic attorneys have expertise in civil rights law.
Attorneys CANNOT give advice on criminal legal issues or provide representation on any legal matters.
Provides a variety of information, tools and options for voters with disabilities who may not be able to cast a private, independent ballot by mail.
Provides a variety of information and tools for voters with disabilities.
Online Ballot Marking:
- Any registered voter can use the online ballot marking program.
- Voters with disabilities can mark their choices on the ballot online. The online ballot marking program has been designed specifically to enable voters who are blind or have low vision to cast a private ballot.
- If a voter's ballot is damaged or lost, the voter may mark their ballot on a computer and print it out. Return it by mail or at a ballot drop box before the 8 p. m. election day deadline.
- Overseas and service voters may request to permanently receive their ballot using this program.
Voting Centers:
- Available for voters that need assistance.
- Each center has voting machines that offer audio or large print ballots, and other assistive devices. Elections staff are available to assist as needed.
- Voters can also register to vote and get their ballot through Election Day.
Protects civil liberties by advocating for issues such as freedom of expression and religion, police accountability, student rights, LGBTQI issues, voting rights, and criminal barriers. Does not typically provide legal representation.
The ACLU-WA participates in "impact litigation" designed to protect civil rights and civil liberties for large numbers of Washington residents.
Does NOT typically provide legal representation to individual complainants and is not a general legal services provider.
Through the Information and Referral Program (IRP), DOES provide:
- "Know your rights" and legal self-help literature
- Referrals to appropriate agencies and organizations
In some areas of ACLU emphasis, is able to provide limited advocacy or more specialized advice.
The ACLU is particularly active in the following issue areas:
- Freedom of expression and freedom of religion
- Police practices and accountability
- Student rights, school discipline, and education issues
- LGBTQ issues
- Voting rights
- Houseless issues
- Sentencing reform
- Health Care
- Technology and Privacy
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
Offers free mediation services provided by 2nd and 3rd year law students working at the mediation clinic.
Provides MEDIATION services only. Does NOT mediate dissolutions (divorce) or child custody matters. Does NOT offer any legal advice.
Parties voluntarily negotiate the settlement of their disputes with an impartial third party. The parties decide the outcome of the mediation, rather than a judge or arbitrator.
The mediator serves to guide the process, mediators are second- and third-year law students under the supervision of law faculty.
Typical mediation cases include:
- Buyer/Seller
- Real Estate Issues
- Consumer/Business
- Co-workers
- Employer/Employee
- Housemates/Roommates
- Landlord/Tenant
- Neighbors
- Student/Staff
- General Civil Litigation
U.S. Department of Justice investigates complaints of intimidation, coercion or threats made against anyone voting or attempting to vote.
U. S. Department of Justice investigates complaints of intimidation, coercion or threats made against anyone voting or attempting to vote.
Works to ensure that every eligible voter can participate in elections to the full extent that federal law provides.
Complaints related to disruption at a polling place should always be reported immediately to local election officials (including officials in the polling place).
Complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place should be reported immediately to local police authorities by calling 911.
They should also be reported to the U. S. Department of Justice after local authorities have been contacted.
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.