Finding Pro Bono Attorneys in Atlanta, Georgia: A Practical Guide

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia and need a lawyer but can’t afford one, you are not alone. Many people in the city face legal problems involving housing, family, debt, immigration, employment, or criminal charges and wonder whether there are pro bono attorneys in Atlanta who can help.

This guide explains how pro bono and low‑cost legal help works in Atlanta, which organizations to contact, what kinds of cases are most likely to qualify, and how to prepare so you make the most of any free legal assistance you receive.

What “Pro Bono” Legal Help Means in Atlanta

In Atlanta, pro bono usually means:

• A private attorney volunteers their time to help you at no cost, usually through a legal aid or bar association program.
• You typically must meet income and asset guidelines.
• Pro bono help is prioritized for civil legal issues that affect basic needs (housing, safety, income, family, immigration, etc.).

You’ll also see terms like:

• Legal aid / legal services – nonprofit law offices with staff attorneys; many also use volunteer lawyers.
• Low‑cost / sliding scale – you pay a reduced fee based on income, sometimes through bar association referral programs.
• Self‑help / brief advice – a lawyer helps you understand your options or complete forms, but doesn’t fully represent you.

In Atlanta, most pro bono services are coordinated through well‑established organizations rather than by individuals offering help on their own, so your first step is usually to contact a legal aid provider or bar association program.

Key Places to Start: Major Legal Aid Providers in Atlanta

Below is a simple overview of major sources of free or low‑cost legal help in Atlanta. Always call or check current eligibility before visiting, as intake processes and hours can change.

Quick Reference: Main Atlanta Pro Bono & Legal Aid Resources

Below are more details and how to contact each.

Atlanta Legal Aid Society (ALAS)

Atlanta Legal Aid Society is one of the primary sources of free civil legal help for low‑income residents in the Atlanta area.

Common legal issues they handle:

• Housing: evictions, unsafe housing conditions, landlord/tenant disputes
• Family law: divorce, custody, child support in cases involving abuse or special circumstances
• Domestic violence and safety issues
• Public benefits: SNAP (food stamps), SSI, Medicaid, TANF
• Consumer and debt problems: garnishments, some collections issues
• Elder law: powers of attorney, advance directives, benefits issues for seniors
• Some disability‑related and health‑related civil problems

Service area (metro Atlanta):
They primarily serve low‑income residents in counties including Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb, and Gwinnett (exact coverage can vary by program).

Main contacts (check for updated numbers before going in person):

• Central Office (Atlanta) – Administrative/Intake:
  54 Ellis Street NE
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone (main): often listed publicly; call to ask for intake schedules.

Atlanta Legal Aid operates multiple local offices (for example, in DeKalb, South Fulton/Clayton, Cobb, Gwinnett). When you call, staff will usually direct you to the office that serves your county and explain whether you need an appointment or can walk in.

How they use pro bono attorneys:
Atlanta Legal Aid staff attorneys handle many cases directly. They also refer some cases to volunteer, pro bono lawyers in the Atlanta area, especially for more involved litigation or specialized matters.

What to expect when you contact them:

• You’ll be asked about:
  • Where you live (to confirm service area)
  • Your household income and size
  • Basic details of your legal problem and any court dates
• They may:
  • Offer full representation
  • Offer advice or brief services
  • Refer you to another agency or bar referral program if they can’t help

Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF)

The Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF) focuses on connecting volunteer attorneys with low‑income Atlantans who have critical civil legal needs.

Key focus areas:

• Housing / Tenant Rights
  • Evictions and landlord‑tenant disputes
  • Unsafe or uninhabitable housing conditions in Atlanta
  • Issues with security deposits
• Domestic Violence & Family Law
  • Protective orders (Temporary Protective Orders – TPOs)
  • Some custody and divorce matters tied to abuse
• Debt & Consumer Issues
  • Some matters involving unjust or confusing debt collection

AVLF often partners with the Fulton County courts and community organizations in neighborhoods across Atlanta.

Typical contacts:
Their main office is in downtown or central Atlanta; publicly available information will identify a central phone line where intake staff can direct you to housing, domestic violence, or other programs.

How AVLF connects you with pro bono attorneys:

• You usually go through an intake process (often by phone, online form, or at a community clinic).
• If your case meets their criteria, they may:
  • Assign a volunteer private attorney to fully represent you, or
  • Offer advice, document assistance, or brief legal services

When to consider AVLF:

• You are being evicted in Atlanta or living with serious housing problems.
• You need protection from domestic violence and live in or near Atlanta.
• You have debt or consumer issues that are being taken to court in the Atlanta area.

Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP)

If you are in the Atlanta metro area but not in one of the core counties primarily served by Atlanta Legal Aid, you may fall under the Georgia Legal Services Program.

What GLSP typically handles:

• Civil (non-criminal) issues such as:
  • Housing and landlord‑tenant matters
  • Public benefits
  • Family law (in limited circumstances)
  • Farmworker and rural legal issues

Who they serve:

• Low‑income individuals living outside of the five core metro counties or in certain areas where GLSP is the designated legal aid provider. If you are unsure whether you qualify, you can call and ask based on your ZIP code and county.

GLSP also works with pro bono attorneys statewide, including those in the broader Atlanta region, to take on certain cases.

State Bar of Georgia: Pro Bono & Lawyer Referral Options

The State Bar of Georgia, headquartered in Atlanta, coordinates and supports many pro bono efforts and also operates a lawyer referral service.

Pro Bono Resource Center & Statewide Programs

The State Bar’s pro bono initiatives help:

• Connect volunteer lawyers with legal aid organizations.
• Maintain lists of free or low‑cost legal clinics and volunteer programs across Georgia.
• Offer information for the public on where to seek free legal help.

If you are not sure where to start, calling the State Bar’s main office and asking for information on pro bono or low‑cost legal help in Atlanta can point you to current programs, clinics, and partner organizations.

Lawyer Referral Services

If your issue doesn’t qualify for free legal aid, the State Bar and local bar associations can:

• Refer you to a private attorney who offers:
  • An initial consultation at a modest fixed fee, or
  • Sometimes reduced rates based on income

This is not always “pro bono,” but it is a way to get affordable legal advice if you do not meet strict legal aid income limits.

Atlanta Bar Association & Local Bar Programs

The Atlanta Bar Association and other metro‑area bar associations (for example, in DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties) run or support:

• Subject‑specific legal clinics (e.g., landlord‑tenant, small business, family law).
• Volunteer lawyer panels for certain types of civil cases.
• Community outreach days where lawyers offer free brief advice.

These programs may:

• Provide one‑time advice on your legal question.
• Help you complete basic court forms.
• In some cases, place you with a pro bono attorney for limited or full representation, depending on available volunteers.

Calling the Atlanta Bar Association’s public line or checking their information for “public services,” “pro bono,” or “community programs” can help you find upcoming clinics and eligibility rules.

Law School Clinics in Atlanta

Several law schools in the Atlanta area operate legal clinics where law students, supervised by licensed attorneys and professors, represent clients for free in specific types of matters. These are not general walk‑in services but can be a strong option if you qualify.

Examples of common clinic types include:

• Housing / Landlord‑Tenant clinics
• Juvenile or criminal defense clinics (for minor offenses or specific courts)
• Tax clinics (help with IRS disputes and low‑income taxpayer issues)
• Immigration clinics
• Health law or disability rights clinics

To use a law school clinic, you typically must:

• Have a case type the clinic is currently focusing on.
• Meet income or other eligibility criteria.
• Apply during a time when the clinic is actively taking new clients (often aligned with school semesters).

You can contact law schools in Atlanta, such as those located in or near downtown, Midtown, and Decatur, and ask to be transferred to their legal clinic or experiential learning offices.

Types of Legal Problems Most Likely to Get Pro Bono Help

In Atlanta, pro bono attorneys and legal aid organizations tend to focus on civil issues that impact basic living conditions, family stability, and safety.

You are more likely to find free help if your case involves:

• 🏠 Housing
  • Evictions in Fulton or surrounding counties
  • Uninhabitable conditions (mold, lack of heat or water, serious code issues)
  • Illegal lockouts or utility shutoffs by landlords
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Family & Safety
  • Domestic violence, stalking, or the need for a Temporary Protective Order (TPO)
  • Custody or divorce where abuse or serious safety concerns are present
  • Guardianship for children or incapacitated adults
• 💳 Debt & Consumer
  • Wage garnishments
  • Court cases brought by debt collectors
  • Large, confusing or possibly fraudulent consumer contracts
• 💰 Income & Benefits
  • Denial or termination of SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, unemployment benefits
• 🧓 Elder Law & Disability
  • Abuse, neglect, or exploitation of seniors
  • Powers of attorney, health directives, and benefits for elderly or disabled individuals
• 🛂 Immigration
  • Certain humanitarian or relief‑focused matters (for example, asylum or VAWA‑related cases) through specialized organizations

Issues that are less likely to receive full pro bono representation, but may still qualify for advice or limited help:

• Routine uncontested divorces with no abuse or complex property issues
• Normal traffic tickets
• Non‑violent criminal misdemeanors (unless through a specific clinic or public defender)
• Starting a small business (some clinics do help in targeted programs, but it’s more limited)

Criminal Cases and Public Defenders in Atlanta

If you are facing criminal charges in Atlanta and cannot afford an attorney, you typically do not need a “pro bono” attorney in the traditional sense; instead, the court may appoint a public defender.

When you may qualify for a public defender:

• You are charged with a crime (misdemeanor or felony) in:
  • Fulton County, DeKalb County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Gwinnett County, or any surrounding jurisdiction.
• You cannot afford to hire a private lawyer, based on income and financial information you provide to the court.

In that case:

1. At your first court appearance (arraignment or initial hearing), tell the judge that you cannot afford an attorney.
2. The court will usually give you a financial affidavit to fill out.
3. If you qualify, they will appoint a public defender from the local public defender’s office.

Public defenders are not “volunteers,” but they provide no‑cost representation to people who are legally indigent in criminal cases. For civil matters, you would still need to reach out to civil legal aid or pro bono resources.

How to Prepare Before Contacting a Pro Bono Attorney or Legal Aid Office

Atlanta legal aid organizations are often very busy. Being organized can make it more likely that you get timely help and that a volunteer attorney can understand your situation quickly.

1. Gather Key Documents

Before you call or visit, try to collect:

• Any court papers (petitions, complaints, notices, hearing dates)
• Leases or housing documents (for landlord‑tenant issues)
• Police reports or protective order paperwork (for domestic violence)
• Debt collection letters, garnishment notices, or credit card statements
• Benefit denial letters (for Social Security, unemployment, SNAP, etc.)
• Identification and proof of address (Georgia ID, utility bill, lease)
• Recent pay stubs or other proof of income

Keep them in a folder so you can quickly refer to them during intake.

2. Know Your Deadlines

In Atlanta’s courts, missing a hearing date or response deadline can seriously hurt your case.

• Look at your paperwork for:
  • Court dates
  • Response deadlines
  • Any mention of “Answer due by” or “Hearing scheduled”
• When you call legal aid, clearly mention:
  • “I have a hearing on [date] in [court]” or
  • “My deadline to respond is [date].”

This helps staff understand how urgent your situation is.

3. Be Ready to Share Income Information

Most pro bono and legal aid programs in Atlanta use income guidelines.

Have ready:

• Monthly income for everyone in your household
• Number of people living with you
• Major expenses (rent, utilities, child support, medical if significant)

They may ask for documents later (pay stubs, benefit awards, etc.), but having rough numbers helps start intake quickly.

Tips for Finding the Right Atlanta Pro Bono Resource for Your Situation

Use this quick roadmap based on your main issue:

• Eviction or serious housing problems in Atlanta:

  • Start with Atlanta Legal Aid Society and Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF).
  • Ask about emergency or rapid‑response assistance, especially if a court date is set.

• Domestic violence, stalking, or need for a protective order:

  • Contact Atlanta Legal Aid (family or domestic violence unit).
  • Ask if there are court‑based advocates or TPO assistance programs in Fulton or your county.
  • Consider local domestic violence shelters or hotlines that partner with legal aid.

• Debt collection, wage garnishment, or consumer lawsuits:

  • Contact Atlanta Legal Aid or AVLF for possible pro bono support.
  • Ask if there are consumer or debt defense clinics.

• Benefits (Social Security, SSI, Medicaid, SNAP, unemployment):

  • Start with Atlanta Legal Aid or, if you are outside the core counties, Georgia Legal Services Program.

• Criminal charges in Atlanta-area courts:

  • Ask the court clerk about applying for a public defender.
  • Fill out the indigency or financial forms the court provides.

• General questions or not sure where to go:

  • Call the State Bar of Georgia and ask for public or pro bono resources in Atlanta.
  • Ask Atlanta‑area bar associations about free legal clinics.

Common Challenges and How to Navigate Them

1. Phone lines are busy or you can’t reach anyone.
Try calling:

• Early in the day.
• On multiple days if lines are congested.
• Leaving a clear voicemail (if allowed) with your name, callback number, county, and type of issue.

2. You are told you’re “over income” for free legal aid.
Consider:

• Asking whether they know of sliding‑scale attorneys or reduced‑fee panels in Atlanta.
• Contacting bar association lawyer referral services for modest‑fee consultations.
• Checking if a law school clinic will consider your case.

3. The organization can only give advice, not full representation.
Even brief advice can help you:

• Understand your rights and obligations.
• Learn how to file your own forms in Fulton or other county courts.
• Prepare for an upcoming hearing.

Take detailed notes during any consultation, including:

• Deadlines
• Court procedures
• Documents you still need to gather

Practical Reminders for Atlanta Residents

• Act quickly. Atlanta courts move on set schedules. The earlier you reach out for help, the more options you have.
• Be honest and complete. Legal aid intake staff rely on accurate information about your income and problem to match you with pro bono attorneys.
• Stay organized. Keep all court notices, letters, and legal documents in one place and bring them to any meetings.
• Follow up. If a legal aid office or pro bono program asks for more documents or information, provide them as soon as you can so your case can move forward.

By using Atlanta’s network of legal aid organizations, volunteer lawyer programs, bar associations, public defenders, and law school clinics, many residents are able to get the legal support they need even when they cannot afford a private attorney at full price.