Resources

Washington Law Help is a guide to free civil legal services for low-income persons and seniors in Washington.  This site provides legal education materials and tools that give you basic information on a number of legal problems, and in some cases, detailed instructions and forms to help you represent yourself in court.  You can also locate information on free legal aid programs in Washington, including basic eligibility and contact information.

King County Law Library aids all persons with their need for legal information by providing legal materials, training, education, and services in a welcoming and positive environment. Law librarians may help find legal information but cannot give legal advice.

Phone Number: (206) 477-1305

Provides referrals to any and every social service and legal aid provider statewide. Call, text, or chat with your local 211 to speak with a community resource specialist in your area who will help you find services and resources that are available to you. You’ll find help with:

• supplemental food and nutrition programs
• shelter and housing options and utilities assistance
• emergency information and disaster relief
• employment and education opportunities
• services for veterans
• health care, vaccination and health epidemic information
• addiction prevention and rehabilitation programs
• reentry help for ex-offenders
• support groups for individuals with mental illnesses or special needs a safe, confidential path out of physical and/or emotional domestic abuse

Dial: 2-1-1

Local: (206) 461-3200

Toll-Free: 1-800-621-4636

The purpose of the Neighborhood Legal Clinics program (NLC) is to offer free, limited legal advice and referrals to King County residents and Washington State residents with legal issues in King County who might otherwise have no access to the legal system. It is a goal of the program to make the clinics accessible regardless of barriers such as income, education, language or disability. Provides free 30-minute consultations across King County on civil legal issues. Appointments are scheduled no more than 7 days in advance; scheduling line wait times between 5-10 minutes.

Phone: (206) 267-7100

The Lawyer Referral program makes referrals for individuals who wish to hire an attorney. If you are in need of free legal services, please visit their free legal help page. The cost to hire an attorney will run from $250–$500 per hour. They do not make referrals for clients who are in need of free legal services.

Referrals for paid legal services by 275 attorneys in 36 practice areas. $45 non-refundable referral fee (except for SSI/SSDI appeals) for referral fee includes an initial consultation (up to 30 minutes) with an attorney; additional $10 processing fee for Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, and Workers Compensation. Following the consultation (if you choose to hire the attorney) all fees are negotiated between you and the attorney.

Phone: (206) 267-7010

Email: lrs@kcba.org

Complete the LRS Online Request Form and submit it electronically

The WSBA Moderate Means Program offers reduced fee legal services for clients of middle-income (200-400% FPL) on consumer, family, and housing law issues.

Toll Free: 1-855-741-6930

The Walk-In Clinic (WIC) is located on the 6th Floor in the Public Law Library of the King County Courthouse in downtown Seattle. The WIC provides limited legal advice on civil matters to lay people and pro se litigants. Preference of WIC clients will be given to those that have a case pending in King County Superior Court/King County District Court or reside in King County. The Library staff will refer patrons to the clinic who have legal questions as opposed to resource questions. People requiring more comprehensive assistance or representation will be referred to other legal aid agencies as appropriate.

The Dispute Resolution Center of King County (DRC) is a nonprofit organization that offers mediation and conflict resolution services for individuals, businesses, and families in King County. They are located at the historic Good Shepherd Center in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle. They resolve disagreements through voluntary, confidential and non-adversarial alternatives to the legal system, including:

• Community mediations
• Small Claims Court mediation
• Conflict coaching
• Individual consultation
• Group mediation or facilitation
• Information and referral
• Training

Email: drcinfo@kcdrc.org

Phone: (206) 443-9603

Toll-Free: 1-888-803-4696

The Mediation Clinic provides free and confidential mediation services. They mediate for the general public in the Greater Seattle area and for staff, students and faculty at the University of Washington. Students serve as neutral third parties to help individuals involved in a dispute negotiate a voluntary settlement of their case or conflict.

Phone: (206) 685-4140

Northwest Justice Project (NJP) is Washington’s largest publicly funded legal aid program. Each year NJP provides critical civil legal assistance and representation to thousands of low-income people in cases affecting basic human needs such as family safety and security, housing preservation, protection of income, access to health care, education and other basic needs.

(206) 464-1519

Toll-Free: 1-888-201-1014

The USCIS website provides options you might be eligible for, but it does not guarantee that they will approve your application or petition.

The Immigrant Legal Resource Center provides resources that include a wide range of downloadable tools produced for diverse audiences, from experienced advocates to directly impacted community members seeking answers about the complex world of immigration law.

Regardless of your immigration status, you have guaranteed rights under the Constitution. Learn more here about your rights as an immigrant, and how to express them.

The Immigration Clinic consists of eight students and a Director who represent individuals who would otherwise lack legal representation and collaborate with local, regional and national organizations to advocate for the rights of immigrants.

Washington Law Help provides general information about immigration. Here, you can find Resources for Immigrants.

The Immigration Advocates Network provides a comprehensive list of resources and advocates in Washington.

Solid Ground connects people with resources & tools to help them stabilize their housing, access healthy food, & build stronger futures for themselves & their families. They provide self-help information, support, and counseling services on issues of homelessness and poverty.

Email: info@solid-ground.org

Phone: (206) 694-6767

The Housing Justice Project (HJP) is a homelessness prevention program providing accessible volunteer-based legal services for low-income tenants facing eviction in King County. It is a KCBA walk-in clinic for legal information and assistance. Priority service for renters facing eviction.

King County Courthouse Room W314

Phone: (253) 234-4204

Spanish: (206) 267-7090

The mission of the Tenants Union (TU) is to create housing justice through empowerment-based education, outreach, leadership development, organizing, and advocacy. They offer free phone and walk-in tenant counseling services about landlord/tenant laws and strategies to prevent housing loss.

Phone: (206) 723-0500

Investigates and enforces Housing and Building Maintenance Code violation complaints.

Phone: (206) 615-0808

The Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.18) or “RLTA” covers laws that apply to the relationship between tenants and landlords in Washington state. RCW stands for the Revised Code of Washington, the law of Washington State.

Authored by Northwest Justice Project, this page explains residential tenants and landlords’ rights and responsibilities in Washington.

An article by Iproperty Management detailing rights you need to know as a landlord or tenant in Washington state. Covering topics such as evictions, security deposits, lease termination, rent increases, housing discrimination, local laws, and more.

The Family Law Facilitators Office provides information and referrals to family law litigants who are not represented by attorneys. Includes roadmap on divorce process.

Phone: (206) 296-9092

Provides free assistance to protection order petitioners.

Phone: (206) 477-1103

Helps low-income people represent themselves in uncontested family law actions.

The SHP Program assists clients with cases in the following areas:

• Non-contested marriage dissolutions (divorces that are agreed or in which the other party will not respond)
• Establishment of a parenting plan and child support in non-contested cases when the father has already been determined

The SHP Program completes all of the legal paperwork, so clients are relieved of the pressure of having to complete documents on their own. They instruct clients about the legal process, inform clients of their rights and responsibilities, and to assist with the paperwork.

They do not:

• Represent clients in court
• Assist with contested marriage dissolutions (divorces)
• Assist with parenting plan modifications (cases where there is already a parenting plan)
• Assist with back child support owed

Phone: (206) 267-7080

Kinship Care Solutions Project provides free legal representation for relatives and other caregivers seeking non-parental custody.

Phone: (206) 267-7086

The Family Law Mentor Program assists low-income parents with contested family law cases. Provides direct representation when children are at risk of domestic violence, child abuse/neglect, or alcohol/drug abuse.

Phone: (206)267-7085

If you have children and are considering getting a divorce, read Washington Law Help’s guide. This does not include court forms but will guide you to the forms you need.

For marriages without children: https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/resource/ending-your-marriage-or-domestic-partnership?ref=OdpCN

King County Superior Court, Family Court Resources (Includes Mediation Services):

Family Court Services (FCS) offers the following specific services to parents and custodians involved in family law actions:

• Adoption services
• Parenting plan mediations (when ordered or referred by the court)
• Parenting plan evaluations (when ordered or referred by the court)
• Domestic violence assessments (when ordered by the court)
• Becca program assistance related to Truancy, At-Risk Youth, and Child-in-Need-of-Services petitions

FCS is staffed by social workers who have specialized training and experience in family law matters. These social workers assist the court by collecting information that promotes beneficial outcomes for children and families. FCS also assists the court by identifying risks so that steps can be taken to ensure the safety of children. FCS does NOT provide legal advice or assistance in completing forms and also does not provide case information outside the services listed above.

Learn about the pros and cons of filing for bankruptcy and what types of debts you can discharge.

If you plan to file for bankruptcy protection, you must get credit counseling from a government-approved organization within 180 days before you file. You also have to complete a debtor education course before your debts can be discharged. Visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website to learn more about this process.

Bankruptcy Basics provides general information about federal bankruptcy laws and the bankruptcy process. It is not a guide for filing for bankruptcy.

The purpose of the Filing Without and Attorney section of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court’s website is to provide the pro se filer, (someone who represents himself or herself without a lawyer), with access to some information about the bankruptcy process and information about local procedures that you must know. This site includes checklists, forms and filing guides for both Chapter 7 and 13 Bankruptcy.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court provides information about several free and low cost bankruptcy services available in Seattle and Tacoma.

Some of these resources are clinics offering one-on-one consultations or small group classes, generally within low income and residence requirements.  Other organizations can provide free, or “pro bono” lawyers who may represent you in bankruptcy matters.  These resources vary depending on the County in which you reside.  The organizations and websites listed on the right may provide you with additional resources and information.

The Seattle Office for Civil Rights enforces Seattle’s civil rights laws which include protections against discrimination in employment, public places, housing, and contracting. They enforce the All-Gender Restrooms Ordinance and the Ban on Providing Conversion Therapy to Minors. Their investigations are free, and we assist people in filing claims.

They are located in the Central Building at the corner of Third Avenue and Marion Street in downtown Seattle – near City Hall and the Public Safety Building. Any bus that travels Third Avenue passes by the Central Building.

Office for Civil Rights
Central Building
810 3rd Avenue, Suite 750
Seattle, WA 98104-1627
206-684-4500
206-684-4503 TTY

Any individual who believes that he or she has been discriminated against based on protected class status may file a charge of discrimination with the WSHRC.

Under the law, everyone has the right to be free from discrimination at work, in housing, in a public accommodation, or when seeking credit and insurance. A discrimination charge in employment, public accommodation, credit and insurance must be filed with WSHRC within six months from the date of the alleged violation in order to protect your rights. A discrimination charge in housing must be filed with the WSHRC within one year from the date of the alleged violation.

Toll-Free: +1-800-233-3247

For Housing complaints and Credit complaints contact the WSHRC directly at 1-800-233-3247.

Being stopped by police is a stressful experience that can go bad quickly. ACLU describes what the law requires and also offers strategies for handling police encounters.

The Attorney General’s Wing Luke Civil Rights Division works to protect the civil rights of everyone in Washington.

The Wing Luke Civil Rights Division investigates discrimination in a range of areas, including in employment, housing, education, credit and insurance transactions, and at government offices and businesses that are open to the public.  The Civil Rights Division works closely with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division and the Washington State Human Rights Commission.

If you would like to contact the Civil Rights Division, you may file a complaint through the Attorney General’s Consumer Resource Center.  You may submit it electronically or mail it to them at:

Office of the Attorney General

Civil Rights Division

800 5th Avenue, Suite 2000

Seattle, WA  98104

Provides links to federal, state, and local laws that protect civil rights. These links are not intended to cover all rights that may apply in a particular circumstance.  Please refer to the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Resource Guide for additional information about specific civil rights laws.

Previously known as “Seattle Community Law Center”, the BLC provides legal advice and representation to low-income individuals with disabilities, in matters related to their entitlement to Social Security disability, and SSI benefits. 

Phone: (206) 686-7252

The Disability Services Office at UW provides general information on disability accommodations.

They provide:

• Services to faculty and staff with disabilities
• Accommodation advice and resources for departments
• Assistive equipment
• Classroom or examination accommodations for nonmatriculated students
• Interpreters (sign language, oral, and tactile) and real-time captioning
• General access accommodations for members of the public attending University events
• Support to mitigate barriers to access throughout the University

Roosevelt Commons West, 2nd Floor
Box 354960
4300 Roosevelt Way NE
Seattle, WA 98195-4960

Email: dso@uw.edu
Voice: 206-543-6450
TTY: 206-543-6452
Fax: 206-685-7264
VP: 253-642-0142

Disability Resources for Students provides information on getting started on a request for accommodation. DRS staff work with admitted University of Washington (UW) students to ensure equal access to UW academic programs and services.

DRS Office
011 Mary Gates
Box 352808
Seattle, WA 98195-2808

uwdrs@uw.edu
206-543-8924 (Voice & Relay)
206-616-8379 (Fax)

Disability Rights Washington offers technical and legal assistance for individuals with disabilities. They provide:

• general information about legal rights;
• strategies about how to become a stronger self-advocate;
• community education and training; and
• information sheets on a wide range of subjects that can empower individuals with disabilities to better advocate for themselves.

This site has information about how to ask for reasonable accommodation from the Office of Administrative Hearings.

If you need extra help from OAH to take part fully in its proceedings, you can ask OAH to change its rules or policies or give you help to meet the needs your disability creates. This is “requesting a reasonable accommodation of a disability.” Use the ADA Accommodation Request Form to ask for an accommodation.

This statute prohibits employment practices that discriminate based on an individual’s sensory, mental, or physical disability.

SafeCampus is the University of Washington’s violence-prevention and response Program. They support students, staff, faculty and community members in preventing violence. They are available 24 hours / 7 days a week. Call SafeCampus at 206-685-7233 anytime — no matter where you work or study — to anonymously discuss safety and well-being concerns for yourself or others. 

Please contact them if you feel your safety is jeopardized; in urgent situations, call 911.

This website provides victims of sexual violence with an array of resources that reflect the University’s commitment to preventing and responding to sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, relationship violence, domestic violence, stalking, and sexual harassment.

The website includes contacts for UWPD Victim Advocate, and student advocates at each UW campus.

There are different types of protection orders that apply to different people and different scenarios. The primary purpose of most court orders is to keep the “respondent” or “defendant” from contacting or harming the “petitioner” or “victim/witness.” Violation of these orders could result in criminal prosecution. If you or someone you know is feeling threatened, it’s important to understand which protection order may be right for you.

Civil orders are orders you request. Criminal orders are requested by WA State (through a prosecutor) in a criminal case.

Learn more about getting a protection order in King County.

There are several types of protection orders that exist. Washington Courts provides a brief description of each to help you request the protection which best fits your situation. Ask the Clerk for a copy of a brochure about court orders if you need more information.

• Domestic Violence Order for Protection
• Restraining Order
• No-Contact Order
• Civil Antiharassment Order

The goal of the Washington State Department of Health’s Injury and Violence Prevention Program is to eliminate preventable death and disability due to injury and violence. They provide a range of resources for Sexual and Domestic Violence, along with information about preventing violence; data, research, and surveillance; and legal information.

Read Northwest Justice Project’s article to learn the definition of domestic violence, how you can protect yourself and your family by getting a protection order or restraining order, and where to get help.

This website was created by the King County Prosecutor’s Office, with consultation from key partners, to serve as a resource for our community and for all people who are experiencing—or know someone who is experiencing—stalking. They provide information on stalking and how to protect yourself.

DAWN provides helpful information for identifying abuse, safety tips, and a multitude of resources nationally and across the state of Washington.

Call DAWN’s 24-hour Advocacy and Support Line today at 425-656-7867.

Provides general information and resources for employees in Washington.

Collective Bargaining information for staff at the University of Washington. The Labor Relations office provides strategic leadership and direction for the UW’s labor relations and collective bargaining functions. They partner closely with managers as well as the unions that represent UW employees, and work to facilitate communication, collaboration, and productive relationships across the UW system.

State HR is responsible for enterprise HR policy and manages the statewide classification plan, compensation plan, diversity, HR analytics, labor relations, rules and appeals, and workforce planning and performance.

Workers are protected by laws and rules covering workers’ wages, working conditions, overtime pay, and prevailing wage on public works construction projects.

7273 Linderson Way SW
Tumwater, WA 98501-5414

Office Locations

Wherever people are gathered together there is the potential for interpersonal conflict. The conflict may be caused by personality differences, miscommunication, or behaviors that violate University policy such as discrimination or harassment. The University offers several options for help. For additional questions, contact your supervisor or HR consultant.

The Office of the Ombud serves the UW community by providing high quality, client-focused services for preventing, managing, navigating and resolving conflict at the UW. They act as thought-partners with clients to assist them in navigating any issue to do with their lives at the UW. Through active participation in the problem-solving process, clients develop the ability to prevent, manage, and resolve future conflicts.

Email: ombuds@uw.edu
Phone: 206.543.6028
Location: 339 Husky Union Building (HUB)

ULP provides legal representation for people in Washington State who have been denied unemployment benefits or whose grant of benefits is being challenged.

WEBA can help you navigate unemployment insurance benefits claims including overpayments and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. WEBA provides legal representation at your initial employment benefits hearing, appeals, as well as post-appeal cases. Some cases will qualify for contingent fee representation. Contingent fee means there is no upfront cost and they collect a fee if you win.

RCW Chapter 49.60 is a State law that protects all people in Washington from unfair and discriminatory practices in employment, real estate transactions, public accommodations, credit, insurance, as well as health care whistleblower, and state employee whistleblower complaints. The Washington Human Rights Commission site includes information on what is prohibited, who is protected, legal authority, and how to file a complaint.

Washington Law Help provides a general section about employment discrimination and links to other resources.

• Employment Discrimination

• Filing a Charge of Employment Discrimination

• Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity In Employment

• Damages and Contingency Fees: Hiring a Lawyer in Personal Injury and Workplace Discrimination Cases

• Guide to Disability and WA State Nondiscrimination Laws

• Guide to Disability and WA State Nondiscrimination Laws

• I Lost My Job. Do I Have Rights?

This memo by Legal Voice is intended to be a road map to job discrimination laws. It outlines the laws that prohibit employment discrimination, what legal remedies exist, and where to go if you feel you have experienced job discrimination.

You can submit an appeal to the Office of Student Financial Aid for specific circumstances.  Your appeal will be reviewed by their appeals committees and you will be notified generally within 3 weeks.

The UW Transportation Services website includes information on how to appeal a ticket. If you believe you were parked in accordance with UW parking rules and were incorrectly cited for a parking violation, you may appeal the citation.

Washington Administrative Code outlines UW policy with regard to parking and traffic rules at UW Seattle.

Information from The Defender Association’s Racial Disparity Project on how to request a hearing if you receive a traffic ticket and how to prepare for the hearing. This talks about community service and payment plan options.

A page authored by Northwest Justice Project detailing your rights and responsibilities when your car, truck, motorcycle, RV, moped or other vehicle has been towed.

Learn about Washington’s mandatory insurance law and the laws that apply if you have an accident while driving without insurance.

In Small Claims Court, you can sue for up to $10,000. This is meant to be a quick, cheap way to resolve a dispute you could not otherwise settle. Lawyers generally cannot take part. There are no juries, motions or objections. There is only a small charge for filing a lawsuit. You can get a trial date much sooner than in other courts. Most trials last about 20 minutes. https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/resource/small-claims-court

To learn more about what small claims court is, click here.

This site provides information on the statute of limitations in Washington (a law that sets a strictly-enforced time limit on your right to file a lawsuit in court).

To learn more about requesting public records from the UW, visit the Public Records site.

This links to Washington Administrative Code that lists the laws related to how the University governs access to public records.

This site is the chapter for the Public Records Act. In 1972, Washington state enacted both the public records law and the open public meeting act to assure citizens of our state transparency and access to government.

The Washington Office of the Attorney General provides information to give you an overview of your right to access public records. If you would like more specific information, you should refer to the act itself.

Northwest Justice Project outlines the questions and answers about things you should know before you enter into a contract to purchase a home.

The Assessor’s Office can provide you with property lookups and tax information.

eReal Property Search

eSales Search

Phone: 206-296-7300

The Revised Code of Washington provides the governing state laws about Real Property and Conveyances.

The Washington Real Estate Law Blog provides some helpful links for anyone with questions regarding real estate law or how to find a real estate professional that can help you resolve your matter quickly and favorably. It includes a link to Real Estate License lookup.

The Student Activities Office has several advisors that are here to assist RSOs!

The role of SAO advisors:

• Provide free advice and guidance on event and program planning
• Event fund procurement
• Fundraising ideas
• Organizational growth and development of RSOs
• Guide students through the University structure to work within the system
• Help with membership recruitment and retention

Don’t know who to contact? Reach out to them at sao@uw.edu!

Location: HUB 232
Phone: 206-543-2380
Email: sao@uw.edu

Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) benefit from many campus resources by registering with the Student Activities Office. Check out the Benefits and Resources site to learn more!