Military Legal Assistance Offices
Visit the U.S. Armed Forces Legal Assistance Locator to locate the nearest military legal assistance office (click on "Advanced" and "Accept"). Servicemembers and their families may access free legal assistance at these offices. See our Working with a Lawyer publication for more details on eligibility.
Legal Aid and Pro Bono Programs
Visit FindLegalHelp.org to locate programs that provide free civil legal assistance. These organizations may or may not have military-specific services. Contact these programs for more details on eligibility.
Lawyer Referral Programs
Visit the Lawyer Referral Directory to locate programs that can connect you to a lawyer who charges for legal services. In the search box, type your state, county, or city to find local programs. Some attorneys with these programs, however, may offer discounted initial consultations or may charge reduced fees based on your income. Contact these programs for more information.
Military/Veteran Specific Programs
If programs are listed below, they are designed to assist military members and/or veterans with legal matters. See the specific details and contact these programs for more information. Also visit nationwide programs.
ABA Free Legal Answers
If you can't afford a lawyer, ABA Free Legal Answers may be able to help. For most civil (non-criminal) legal questions, if your state participates, click on "Select the state where you live" and click on your state to ask a question.
For VA benefits, discharge upgrades, or other veteran-related legal questions: Choose "ABA Federal" in the "Select the state where you live" dropdown menu to ask a discharge upgrade or VA-related question, and receive an answer from an attorney.
Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network Hotline
855-IL-AFLAN (855-452-3526)
Monday—Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central
Visit IL-AFLAN Website
The Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network (IL-AFLAN) offers free brief legal services to income qualified veterans, service members, National Guard, Reservists, and their spouses and qualified dependents who live, are stationed, or have a legal issue in Illinois. The IL-AFLAN hotline provides immediate access to speak directly with an attorney regarding any civil legal problem, such as family, housing, consumer, employment, and veteran related issues such as military discharge upgrades and VA benefits. The IL-AFLAN Hotline is operated by CARPLS Legal Aid.
John Marshall Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic
315 South Plymouth Court
Chicago, IL 60604
[email protected]
Visit Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic Website
Illinois State Bar Association
424 S. Second St.
Springfield, IL 62701
Upon Request from Jag Officer, the ISBA Committee on Military Affairs will seek to locate appropriate private legal counsel to represent military personnel, when possible at no-fee or low-fee basis, depending upon client ability to pay. The ISBA Committee on Military Affairs responds to needs as they arise. ISBA has produced a resource guide, "Called to Duty," for military personnel. ISBA will provide resources to lawyer reservists who may need to consult.
Legal Aid Chicago Veterans’ Rights Project
120 S. LaSalle St., Ste. 900
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 347-8340
www.legalaidchicago.org
Needs: Consumer, Family, Housing, Immigration, Public Benefits (including Veterans and Discharge Upgrades), Workers’ Rights