Texas Legal Research: Free Online Resources

Helps find lawyers for persons in counties where there is no local lawyer referral service. Also has a list of State Bar of Texas Certified Lawyer Referral Services with phone numbers and the counties they serve.

A non-profit public service of the Austin Bar Association. Designed to assist people who are able to pay normal attorney fees but who need assistance locating an attorney in Austin. Also offers LegalLine, free legal advice via telephone on the first Tuesday of every month from 5:30pm-7:30pm.

Available for the exclusive use of students enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin. Does not offer representation in the following matters: felonies; family law; immigration law; student vs. student conflicts; University vs. student conflicts; tax law; medical malpractice law; student-owned business matters; or cases that appear to involve a substantial fee-generation.

Authorized by the Supreme Court of Texas, the TBLS certifies attorneys in 20 specific areas of law and paralegals in six specific areas. Board Certification is a voluntary designation program involving experience in the area of law, peer review and continuing legal education requirements.

Offers North Texas residents the opportunity to secure free legal assistance with matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as housing, immigration and consumer protection. COVID-19 Legal Helpline may be reached by dialing 214-SMU-COVD (214-768-2683).

Call the hotline at 210-570-6135. Collaboration between St. Mary’s Law’s Consumer Protection Clinic and Pro Bono Program, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, and the Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic of the University of Texas School of Law.

A service of the United Way, 2-1-1 Texas provides free, bilingual information and referrals to health and human services and community organizations. 2-1-1 serves as the number to call for information about community organizations, and it links individuals and families to critical health and human services provided by nonprofit organizations and government agencies in the community.

Useful links for people in the Austin area with legal questions, such as the Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas, the free hotline LegalLine, the Legal Hotline for Older Texans, and the Austin Bar Association Fee Dispute Committee, which handles billing disputes between Travis County attorneys and their clients.

Fulfills thousands of requests each year for help with housing problems. Descriptions of the services they provide are available on their website under the “Programs and Services” link. Website also provides online brochures on subjects such as evictions, lockouts, repairs, and security deposits.

UT Law School can provide very limited legal assistance to members of the public. The legal clinics accept only a small number of cases, and no clinic provides advice to persons other than clients.

Some clinics accept cases strictly through referrals from non-profit organizations or by court appointment. Other clinics accept cases in response to requests for assistance from individuals, community groups and other entities.

A non-profit agency that specializes in providing free civil legal services to the indigent residents of Central, South and West Texas. TRGLA has thirteen offices throughout the state and a branch office in Austin. For eligibility, clients must generally be at or below 125% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.

A project of the Texas Access to Justice Commission and the Texas Equal Access to Justice Foundation, in partnership with participating legal aid organizations. TexasLawHelp is a one-stop website where low-income Texans can get information about their legal rights and find out about free legal assistance in their area.

A State Bar of Texas program to develop and assist pro bono legal clinics throughout the state for military veterans who otherwise cannot afford or do not have access to the legal services they need.

Intended for use by individuals living in Travis County. Seeks to match low-income clients with volunteer attorneys who have agreed to help at no charge. Also holds free legal advice and intake clinics on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Does not provide assistance for criminal matters. The website provides links to forms and helpful information on various topics, such as consumer and debt, family law, and housing.