SOS!! What to Do If We Can’t Connect You to a Law Firm

One thing you often hear repeated at A Case for Women is that – aside from voting – the best way to create systemic change is through civil legal action. That is why the law firms in our network practice civil litigation on a contingency-fee basis that pushes negligent institutions to pay the people who have been harmed by their products or policies. Civil litigation has enormous power to change corporate behavior and even change laws.

However, not every injury is right for civil litigation. This does not discredit or diminish what you’ve been through: we hear you and we believe you. It also doesn’t mean that you may not have other kinds of legal options, such as criminal action, or other means of getting help.

If we haven’t been able to get you started or you’re coming to us for a situation that doesn’t involve institutional negligence of some sort, please don’t give up! Below are some resources that may help you secure other types of legal representation or guide you to other ways of using your story to make a change.

General Legal Resources

American Bar Association

The American Bar Association (ABA) offers a list of local bar associations that may be able to refer you to relevant resources and lawyers that specialize in your particular issue.

LawHelp.org

LawHelp.org serves people living on low incomes through providing referrals to local legal aid and public interest law offices, basic information about legal rights, court forms, self-help information, court information, links to social service agencies and more. They were created with the support of the nonprofit Legal Services Corporation and the Open Society Institute. Their site is Spanish-friendly as well.

National Center for State Courts (NCSC)

NCSC offers a list of low cost legal aid and pro-bono resources by state.

WomensLaw.org

WomensLaw.org provides extensive legal info for all genders that covers domestic violence, sexual violence, divorce, custody and other issues. You can sift through state-specific, easy-to-read legal resources on their site or they can use their email hotline to connect with an advocate. They are a project of the nonprofit National Network to End Domestic Violence and most of the site includes Spanish translations.

NLG

A directory of lawyers/firms that you can search by location and case type.

Medical Resources

We have compiled some free and sliding scale clinic databases that may be helpful:

If all else fails, here is a link to on-call local community resource specialists that might be able to better help you find the care you need:

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Resources for Survivors of Domestic Abuse

National Domestic Abuse Hotline

This national non-profit offers 24/7 chat and phone services in English and Spanish that provide “lifesaving tools and immediate support to empower victims and survivors to find safety and live free of abuse.” While not lawyers, they may also be able to connect you with local legal resources. Their number is 800-656-HOPE. You can also live chat at their site or text LOVEIS to 22522.

Domestic Violence Survivor Resources

Domestic Violence During the Pandemic: Resources for Victims and Survivors

This is a “comprehensive guide that highlights the increased vulnerability for victims and how to support these populations during unprecedented times.”

Includes:

Red Flags and Barriers in Abusive Relationships
Tips on Emergency Planning and Tech Safety for Victims Fleeing
Support Services for Housing, Immigration, and Financial Independence

DV LEAP

DV LEAP is a national organization that challenges unjust family violence trial outcomes on a pro-bono basis. They only help with legal appeals of unjust rulings and do not provide legal representation for individuals before there is a final judgment.

Resources for Divorce/Custody/Family Issues

Child Welfare Information Gateway

A service of the Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this site provides an extensive, national resource list of legal organizations that focus on child welfare.

Reporting Unsafe Drugs and Medical Devices

MedWatch Online Voluntary Reporting Form

Health professionals, consumers and patients can voluntarily report observed or suspected adverse events for human medical products to FDA. Voluntary reporting can help FDA identify unknown risks for approved medical products and is an essential way to let it be known that a drug is unsafe. (Note – Essure birth control was taken off the market after a group of women got the word out about reporting Essure problems to the FDA!)

Resources for Standing Up to Police Brutality

ACLU

Campaign Zero

NAACP

National Police Accountability Project

Southern Poverty Law Center

Resources for Immigration Issues

National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR)

NIRR has compiled a list of border advocacy groups based all over the country.

The South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project (ProBAR)

A project of the American Bar Association, ProBAR empowers immigrants with legal education, representation and connections to services. ProBAR serves immigrants in the Rio Grande Valley border region.

Resources for Voting Rights Issues

American Bar Association (ABA)’s list of voting rights resources

Fair Elections Center

A national, nonpartisan nonprofit organization which uses litigation and advocacy to fight for voting access and rights.

Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

Volunteer to ensure every person’s voice is heard at the polls.

USA.gov and US Department of Justice (DOJ)

The US government’s official voting site and the DOJ site have information on your rights and portals for reporting voting violations.

Other Sexual Abuse Resources

National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)

NSVRC offers a national database with a wide variety of resources for survivors.

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)

RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. They created and operate the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE, online.rainn.org and – for Spanish speakers) in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

Church Abuse

Survivor network for those abused by priests.

Bail Bond Relief

The Bail Project

Provides bail bond relief to jailed POC’s in 24+ states

LGBTQ Fund

Provides bail bond relief to jailed LGBTQ people in 15+ states

Unhoused/Housing-Insecure Resources

HUD Exchange – Homelessness Assistance Programs

Directory of HUD homeless assistance programs and associated shelters/programs

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On-call local community resource specialists that can help find support for:

Food and nutrition programs
Shelter and housing options, utility assistance
Emergency info and disaster relief
Veterans’ services
Health care
Addiction prevention and rehab programs
Reentry help for formerly-incarcerated individuals
Support groups for folks with mental illness or special needs
A safe, confidential path out of physical/emotional domestic abuse

National Homeless Coalition

Directory of shelters broken down by interest groups (e.g. pet owners, women’s shelters, food pantries)

National Homelessness Law Center

Focused on decriminalizing homelessness/things that homeless people are criminalized for like loitering, sleeping in public, panhandling

Workplace Discrimination Resources

Workplace Fairness

Know your rights
Protect your rights
Find an employment attorney

National Women’s Law Center

The American Association of University Women (AAUW)

GOTV efforts
Training for negotiating for higher pay
Lobbying, advocating, education on voting, civil, workplace, LGBTQIA, etc. rights

National Employment Lawyers Association

Hate Crime/Human Rights Resources

ACLU

LGBTQIA Legal

Lambda Legal

“Know your rights”
Legal help desk
Workplace discrimination
Legal assistance for healthcare protection
Immigrants, family, marriage, employment, teens, seniors, police and criminal justice, etc.

Disability Rights Resources

Disability Rights Advocates

Suicide Prevention Resources

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-8255

Suicide Prevention Resource Guide

Directory of resources for

Texting and calling lifelines
Vets
Teens
LGBTQIA
Sexual assault survivors
International resources

Other Resources

Eldercare

Eldercare provides a locator tool with services specifically geared toward the elderly.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The FTC offers this guide for victims of identity theft.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network

A list of resources for victims of financial fraud and identity theft.

Legal Aid at Work

Legal Aid at Work is committed to strengthening workers’ rights via free clinics, helplines, easy to understand legal info, litigation and policy advocacy. They mainly focus on workplace issues, including discrimination.

National Disability Rights Network

NDRN offers legal referrals for otherly abled folks.

Stateside Legal

Stateside offers legal help for military members, veterans and their families.

VictimConnect Resource Center

This organization operates a referral helpline where crime victims can learn about their rights and options confidentially. A program of the National Center for Victims of Crime, they offer a traditional telephone-based helpline: 855-4-VICTIM (855-484-2846) and a chat service at Chat.VictimConnect.org.

SOS!! What to Do If We Can’t Connect You to a Law Firm

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