Finding Legal Help

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Vermont Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service

Fill out the online form, or call 800-639-7036.
The service provides referrals to Vermont attorneys who provide an initial 30-minute consultation for no more than $25.

 

Vermont Association for Justice Lawyer Referral Service

The service allows you to specify an area of practice and proximity to a specific zip code. Unlike the Vermont Bar Association’s referral service, there is no set rate to speak to an attorney you find using the website. If you contact an attorney using this referral service, be sure to ask the attorney how much they will charge to talk to you.

 

Limited Representation (also known as "unbundled" or "discrete task" representation)

This is an agreement between a lawyer and client that the lawyer will provide specific services for an agreed-upon fee. You may be comfortable handling some parts of your case, but would like the help of a lawyer for other tasks. For example, you could hire the lawyer to provide one or more of these services:

• give you legal advice
• advise you about the strength of your case
• draft documents
• review documents you have drafted
• get you ready for a negotiation
• handle the discovery process
• get you ready for a hearing or trial
• represent you at a hearing or trial
• interpret a court order

Not all lawyers practice law this way. When you contact a lawyer, ask them if they are open to this kind of service model. 

 

Vermont Free Legal Answers

Free virtual legal advice clinic. Income-eligible users can ask questions about non-criminal legal matters, and the questions are answered by volunteer attorneys. Help is available on non-criminal legal topics including:   

• Family law, including divorce and custody
• Housing law, including eviction and homelessness
• Consumer rights, financial, work, employment and unemployment
• Health
• Disability
• Civil Rights
• Juvenile
• Education

Legal Clinics

Legal clinics give general legal information and most offer brief legal advice. You can also get help with forms, and ask questions about the law. Most legal clinics handle civil law matters only. Going to a legal clinic can help you decide if you can handle the matter on your own, or if you should hire an attorney.

Bennington Legal Advice Clinic

Vermont Legal Aid hosts a monthly legal clinic for residents of Bennington County. You can take part on the phone or online. Advocates can answer questions about:

• housing matters, including evictions (tenants only), foreclosures, property taxes
• Social Security benefits, including SSDI, SSI, Social Security Retirement
• public assistance programs, including 3SquaresVT, Fuel Assistance, Medicaid, General Assistance, Reach Up
• family law, including child support, child custody, divorce
• victim of crime or domestic violence
• employment discrimination
• unemployment Insurance
• consumer matters, including debt collection
• special education
• criminal record expungements
• taxes

Call 802-318-4169 to schedule an appointment. Leave a message with your name and contact number. Please be sure to mention the Bennington Legal Advice Clinic. Mention if you need an interpreter. Space is limited. Income eligibility is required for certain subject matters.

 

Brattleboro BIPOC Legal Aid Clinic

Vermont Legal Aid and the Root Social Justice Center in Brattleboro host a monthly BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) Legal Aid Clinic. While this is a BIPOC-centered clinic, it is multiracial and open to all identities. Everyone can access this support. Held in the afternoon on the last Thursday of each month. Services include tenant rights guidance, eviction support, housing advocacy, and help with clearing criminal records. Appointments are preferred. For more information, call Jeannette at Vermont Legal Aid at 802-885-5181.

 

Center for Justice Reform Clinic     

Offers humanitarian immigration legal services to those living anywhere in the state of Vermont, who can't afford an attorney, and for whom at least one of the following is true: 

• People in removal proceedings, under immigration supervision, or who have been ordered removed, and who want to understand their immigration posture and options.  
• People who have suffered serious harm in their country of origin; who want to seek asylum; or who fear returning to their country of origin. 
• Survivors of harms or victims of crimes in the U.S. including, but not limited to, forced labor or sex, intimate partner or family violence, and other attempted or completed violent crime. 
• Young people who have any questions about their immigration status or proof of their status or U.S. citizenship. 
• Immigrants facing criminal charges who want immigration advice on how to safely resolve their criminal or immigration proceedings. 
• Immigrants with criminal histories or other past legal troubles who have questions about pursuing or protecting their immigration status, including U.S. citizenship. 
• Generalized immigration advice and support, including work authorization applications, renewals, etc.

Contact:  802-540-0398 | CJRClinic@vermontlaw.edu | Mail: PO Box 1404, Elmwood Ave, Burlington, VT 05402

 

Chittenden County Bar Small Claims Clinic

Educational clinic for people involved in small claims cases but who don't have an attorney. Provides an opportunity to speak with a lawyer about Small Claims Court generally, and to discuss your case. Topics include:

• What to expect
• How to conduct yourself in Small Claims Court
• How to prepare for your case
• An evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of your case

The clinic is not open to those representing businesses in collection cases. The attorney does not provide legal advice or represent you in your case. Held the first Tuesday of each month, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. unless the Tuesday is a holiday. The clinic will be held by Zoom. Email Edward D. Fitzpatrick, Esq. at efitzpatrick@bpflegal.com to request a Zoom invitation. If you are new to Zoom, please mention that in your email and provide your phone number.

 

Emergency Housing Clinic

Vermont Legal Aid is hosting a weekly legal advice clinic for Vermonters experiencing homelessness. Lawyers will answer legal questions about participation in the General Assistance Emergency Housing program (also known as the “motel program”). Call and ask for a free 30-minute confidential phone appointment. The clinic is held by phone every week on Mondays and Thursdays. Time slots are available from 1 - 3 p.m. Call 1-800-889-2047 to schedule a free phone appointment. Leave a message with your name and phone number, ask for a General Assistance Housing Legal Clinic appointment, and be sure to include the best time to return your call.

 

Environmental Division Pro Se Clinic

The free Environmental Division Pro Se Clinic is designed for those who are representing themselves in environmental cases.

When:  First Thursday of the month
Appointment Times:  1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 pm
How:  Call the Environmental Division at 802-951-1740 to make an appointment. Appointments are held remotely via phone or Webex.

See the Free Legal Clinic section of the Environmental Division web page for more information.

 

Family Law Clinic

Legal Services Vermont is hosting free Family Law Clinics for low-income Vermonters. The clinics are by appointment only and space is limited. You can talk to a lawyer by phone, video conference or in-person in Burlington. They can answer your questions about divorce, parentage, custody, visitation, child support and more.

To make an appointment, call 1-800-889-2047. Leave a message with your name and contact number. Please be sure to mention the Family Law Clinic. Tell them if you need an interpreter. A Legal Services Vermont advocate will call you back to screen for eligibility and schedule your appointment.

 

First Congregational Church Free Legal Clinic (Burlington)

The First Congregational Church in Burlington offers a free monthly Sunday afternoon clinic during the months of September – November and January – May. Help is provided by phone, and is available to anyone in the community. Help is provided in any area of law, including family law, guardianship, immigration, and probate.

Contact the Church Office at info@firstchurchburlington.org or 802-862-5010 x4 for information about the next clinic.

 

Free legal clinics for Vermont seniors 60+

Vermont Legal Aid periodically hosts virtual legal advice clinics by phone. Vermont seniors — age 60+ — can ask legal questions about any civil legal question. See the vtlawhelp.org Seniors web page for announcements about upcoming clinics.

 

Justice for Victims Legal Clinic

Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Use their legal referral form, or call 802-798-2716 or 802-223-1302 ext. 1106, or email legalclinic@vtnetwork.org. Focuses on matters arising out of sexual and domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and sex trafficking. Attorneys answer questions, give advice and provide representation related to:

• relief from abuse/protection orders
• sexual assault or stalking orders
• divorce
• child custody/child support
• Title IX cases
• criminal matters if you are the victim participating in a case against a perpetrator
• accessing restorative justice services

 

Northeast Kingdom Free Legal Clinic

Vermont Legal Aid hosts a monthly legal clinic for residents of Caledonia, Essex and Orleans Counties. Offered in person, on the phone or online. Advocates can answer questions about:

• housing matters, including evictions (tenants only), foreclosures, property taxes
• Social Security benefits, including SSDI, SSI, Social Security Retirement
• public assistance programs, including 3SquaresVT, Fuel Assistance, Medicaid, General Assistance, Reach Up
• nursing homes, residential care homes, assisted living, Choices for Care and Long-Term Medicaid
• family law, including child support, child custody, divorce
• victim of crime or domestic violence
• employment discrimination
• unemployment Insurance
• consumer matters, including debt collection
• special education
• criminal record expungements
• taxes

Call the NEK Legal Advice Clinic hotline at 802-448-6929 to schedule an appointment. Leave a message with your name and contact number. Please be sure to mention the NEK Legal Advice Clinic. Mention if you need an interpreter. Space is limited. Income eligibility is required for certain subject matters.

 

Rent Escrow Clinics

Legal Services Vermont hosts clinics in Chittenden, Franklin, and Washington counties to help tenants on the day of their rent escrow hearing. Clinics are held in person, by phone, or by video, depending on court operations.

• Chittenden County, 175 Main Street, Burlington. Typically Thursday mornings, with some exceptions.
• Franklin County, 17 Church Street, St. Albans. Third Tuesday mornings.
• Washington County, 65 State Street, Montpelier. Monday mornings.

 

South Royalton Legal Clinic   

Law students supervised by staff attorneys consult with and represent those who can’t afford an attorney, in the following areas:

• Veteran-specific issues dealing with VA disability, discharge upgrades, etc. Services available statewide.
• Other civil matters for Veterans, including bankruptcy, housing, landlord/tenant, Social Security disability, and wills. For residents of Orange and Windsor counties only.  
• Divorces, parentage/custody issues, help for survivors of domestic violence, and help for other victims of crime.  For residents of Orange and Windsor counties only. 
• Court-appointed representation of children in Family and Probate Courts in Orange, Washington and Windsor counties only. 

Contact:  802-831-1500 | srlc@vermontlaw.edu

South Royalton Legal Clinic
PO Box 117
South Royalton, VT 05068

 

Steps to End Domestic Violence

Virtual legal advice clinics for victims of domestic violence in Chittenden County. Clinics are held by phone or Zoom each Monday, 5:30 - 7:30 pm and every other Wednesday, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Call 802-658-1996 to schedule an appointment.

 

Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont

Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont help low-income, disabled, and elderly Vermonters. They give information, advice, and referrals to free or low-cost legal resources. To ask for help, call 800-889-2047, or fill out the online Legal Help Request Form.

VTLawHelp.org

Provides general civil (non-criminal) legal information with links to free and low-cost civil legal aid, help and services in Vermont. The website includes:

• a Legal Help Tool that guides people to legal and health care information and to a form to ask for advice when appropriate
• information and resources about legal rights, the law and the courts
• help for health care and health insurance issues
• links to state and community resources
• legal forms and guides to prepare for a court appearance
• sample letters to help solve a problem — for example, with a landlord or bill collector

 

Common Legal and Benefits Issues After a Disaster Like Flooding web page

A listing common problems that can come up after a flooding disaster in Vermont and links to information.

 

COVID-19 Coronavirus: Legal and Benefits Updates for Vermonters

Information on a range of topics including:

• Housing & Utilities
• Work & Pay
• Money & Food
• Health Care & Long-Term Care
• Other topics

The Access and Resource Center (ARC) can help with Vermont state court forms. If you don’t have access to or aren't comfortable using a computer, if you have a disability, if you speak a language other than English, or otherwise would like help with a Vermont state court form, ARC staff can help. Free interpreters are available.

ARC staff can:

• Help you find court-approved forms. ARC staff can help you find Vermont state court-approved forms for various legal matters on the court's website.
• Offer basic guidance. ARC staff can provide general information on how to fill out forms, and explain the purpose of a form. 
• Check for completeness. ARC staff can review your completed forms and point out places where information is missing.
• Define terms. ARC staff can provide definitions for legal words.
• Act as scribes. Scribing means writing down exactly what you say onto a Vermont state court form. ARC staff don't make choices about what you say or how you say it - you do. Scribing:
  • doesn't mean choosing words for you, or telling you what words you should or shouldn’t use.
  • doesn't mean interpreting, summarizing, or guiding you on what to say or how to phrase it.
  • doesn't mean offering suggestions or corrections beyond what you explicitly dictate.

ARC staff can't:

• Provide legal advice. ARC staff cannot tell you what to say in court or predict what a judge might decide. If you need legal guidance, consult an attorney.
• Interpret the law. ARC staff cannot interpret legal concepts or statutes. They can’t explain the legal implications of your choices.
• Predict outcomes. ARC staff cannot predict how a judge will rule on your case. They won’t speculate on the outcome based on your forms.

Community Legal Information Center (CLIC)

Vermont Law and Graduate School, South Royalton.

CLIC provides help with legal research, public access to legal research databases, Vermont legal materials and legal self-help books. Call the Ask a Librarian Line at 802-831-1313, email clic@vermontlaw.edu, or visit in person.

Vermont Laws 

From the Vermont General Assembly website

Vermont Court Rules

From Lexis-Nexis

• Rules of Civil Procedure
• Rules for Family Proceedings
• Rules for Environmental Court Proceedings
• Rules of Small Claims Procedure
• Rules of Criminal Procedure
• Rules of Evidence
• Rules of Probate Procedure
• Rules of Appellate Procedure
• Rules for Electronic Filing
• Supreme Court Administrative Orders and Rules

Vermont Supreme Court Decisions

• Browse published decisions by date
• Browse unpublished decisions by date
• Search decisions

Vermont Legal Resources for Civil Matters

Guide to resources created by the staff of Julien and Virginia Cornell Library, Vermont Law and Graduate School.

If you have a disability which affects communication, you can ask the court to appoint a Communication Support Specialist from the Vermont Communication Support Project (VCSP) to help you during court hearings.

The role of the Communication Support Specialist (CSS) is to support communication and to help overcome barriers to communication during court hearings caused by disability. The CSS is not an attorney. They are not an advocate and they do not provide legal advice.

VCSP serves people in civil division, family division, probate division, and small claims cases who meet their eligibility criteria. VCSP does not provide services in criminal division cases. See the VCSP website for more information about their services and eligibility criteria.

To ask the court to appoint a Communication Support Specialist for your court hearings, you must file a motion in your case. Contact the Access and Resource Center if you would like help filling out a motion form.

Forms to ask for a Communication Support Specialist

Civil Division cases

Family Division cases

Probate Division cases

Small Claims cases

ACLU of Vermont

Works to advance the civil rights and civil liberties of all Vermonters. Efforts are focused on broad range of issues impacting Vermonters' constitutional rights, including racial justice, criminal justice reform, women's rights, LGBTQ rights, disability rights, voting rights, immigrants' rights, freedom of speech, religious liberty, reproductive freedom, privacy, and more. 

Association of Africans Living in Vermont 

Provides free help and representation in immigration issues including:

• Adjustment of status to lawful permanent residence
• Asylum
• Citizenship
• Family Reunification
• Temporary Protected Status
• Victims' Visas
• Violence Against Women Act Petitions
• Work and Travel Authorization

Community Justice Centers

Restorative justice addresses a criminal act in the context of the people harmed and the community affected. People who offend harm victims, community, and themselves, so restorative justice facilitates the mending of these relationships and helps prevent further offending.

Consumer Assistance Program 

The Vermont Attorney General's Office and UVM students provide help with consumer problems and scams: 800-649-2424 or AGO.CAP@vermont.gov.

Disability Rights Vermont

Works to address problems, questions and complaints from Vermonters with disabilities. Provides information, referral and advocacy services, including legal representation.

Identity Theft Information (Federal Trade Commission)

Vermont Attorney General 

Provides information in a variety of areas including:

• Antitrust
• Business-to-Business Fraud
• Charities and Paid Fundraisers
• Elder Protection
• Environmental Protection
• Health and Product Safety
• Heating Fuel Service
• Heating Fuels
• Lead
• Medicaid Fraud & Residential Abuse
• Money and Credit
• Privacy and Data Security
• Vehicle Sales and Service

Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services

Helps people who have experienced physical, financial, or emotional harm because they were the victim of a crime. 

Vermont Human Rights Commission

Protects people from unlawful discrimination in housing, state government employment, and public accommodations.

Vermont Public Libraries

Public libraries provide internet access and printers, and may have books about the law.

Vermont State Agencies

State agencies provide services to Vermont children, seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, domestic violence victims and others.

Vermont 2-1-1

Provides referrals to social service agencies and programs to help with food, housing, clothing, utilities, health care, senior issues, and other needs.