Consultations
Free Legal Advice
Student Legal Services (SLS) provides eligible current UW-Seattle, UW-Tacoma, and UW-Bothell students with free 40-minute consultations on any matter of legal concern. Most consultations are led by Rule 9 Licensed Legal Interns who are not attorneys, but have a limited license to practice law under the supervision of an attorney. However, in some cases students will be meeting with our staff attorneys.
An individual student can receive an unlimited number of free consultations as long as the legal issues are unrelated. SLS strongly encourages students to contact us proactively, before their legal concern grows.
“I had several consultations regarding a landlord-tenant issue and a speeding ticket with [an SLS intern] and she was very patient in dealing with my shenanigans. She was very attentive when listening to my side of the story and provided me with the guidance and resources necessary to resolve my legal issues. Hands down the best legal service for students.“
Scheduling a Consultation
Please note that SLS will be operating remotely for Spring Break (March 18 – March 22). All consultations scheduled for March 18 – 22 will be held through Zoom. Please email us at slsuw@uw.edu if you have any questions.
To begin the scheduling process, fill out our Intake Form. You must be logged into your UW NetID to access the intake form. If you are not already logged onto your UW NetID on your browser, you will see an error page when you click on the link above. If you are not a current student, you will not be able to access the form.
The intake form provides us with information we can use to verify your student status with the University and to get more information about your specific issue. SLS cannot provide same-day consultations, nor can we provide legal advice by phone or email. If you are unable to access or complete the intake, please call our office at (206) 543-6486 or stop by our office in HUB 306.
After the intake form has been completed, SLS staff will screen your intake to confirm your eligibility and identify any conflicts of interest. Make sure you click “Submit” and not “Save progress and exit” to ensure that we receive your intake. If no conflicts arise, a separate link will be emailed to you to schedule your appointment. Due to the large number of requests we receive, appointments are typically scheduled 2-3 weeks in advance. If you have emergent circumstances, please indicate the reason in your intake and/or call and email us at (206) 543-6486 and slsuw@uw.edu. After your appointment has been scheduled, you will be emailed a link to our Conditions of Consultation form, which must be filled out electronically prior to your appointment.
How should I prepare for my consultation?
Bring proof of enrollment at UW-Seattle, UW-Tacoma, or UW-Bothell: either your Husky card or tuition statement from MyUW showing payment of the Services & Activities fee.
Sign the Conditions of consultation form, which will be emailed to you after your consultation has been scheduled.
Fill out the document and questions form (which will be emailed to you after scheduling) to provide us with a list of questions you want us to address during your consultation. You can also identify important timelines which may include upcoming court dates, lease end-dates, wedding dates, etc. You may also upload copies of relevant documents, organized chronologically. Depending on your situation, these may include:
- Leases (landlord-tenant laws, move-in checklists, and other documents related to your tenancy)
- All correspondence related to the dispute between you and the opposing party. This may include letters and envelopes, emails, texts, or phone logs.
- Photos
- Signed or proposed contracts
- Hearing notices and other pleadings
- Eviction notices
- Court orders
- Police reports
- Traffic tickets
- Insurance policies
Be prepared to take notes during the consultation. (SLS does NOT provide free follow-up meetings, phone calls, or email clarifications after your consultation has ended.)
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