Bridging the legal gap between needs and solutions.

Who We Are

Houston Volunteer Lawyers is the pro bono legal aid arm of the Houston Bar Association. Founded in 1981, we help thousands of people each year with their most pressing legal needs, such as child custody, landlord/tenant, guardianship, and probate.

We are here because (unlike the criminal system) you have no right to an attorney if you cannot afford one to save your home or keep custody of your child. We fill this gap in the civil justice system by connecting eligible clients with private attorneys who volunteer their time.

Each year, we receive over 30,000 calls for help, and volunteer attorneys collectively donate over $5 million in free legal services.

To learn how you can apply, click "How to Get Help" at the top of the page.

We Help With

Family law
Guardianship
Estate Planning
Probate
Tax Disputes with the IRS
Landlord/Tenant Disputes
Homeownership
Consumer/Bankruptcy

We do not accept criminal, traffic, immigration, or fee-generating cases.

Apply Online

Volunteer

You make justice happen.

We make it easy. 

Take A Case

Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter to learn about upcoming events and trainings