Free Legal Aid in Washington, DC
Americans have a right to an attorney when accused of a crime. In most civil legal matters, that protection does not exist. Legal representation becomes a privilege in a system intended to deliver equal justice for all.
Civil legal aid closes this justice gap at moments of consequence. When low-income DC residents face unsafe housing, eviction proceedings, or record-based barriers, the stakes escalate quickly. Yet for many, hiring an attorney is out of reach—even when their housing, employment, or family security hangs in the balance.
Rising for Justice provides free legal services to eligible DC residents in civil legal matters.
Our Legal Services
We provide free services to eligible DC residents in the following civil legal matters. Select a program area to learn more.
Housing & Tenant Justice
Washington, DC has one of the highest eviction rates in the country.
Approximately 30,000 eviction cases are filed every year—one for every 25 residents. In DC Landlord and Tenant Court, more than 90% of tenants face eviction proceedings without legal representation, putting thousands of families at risk of displacement.
Rising for Justice provides free eviction defense and housing legal services to low-income DC residents, strengthening equal access to representation in one of the nation’s most active eviction courts. Our attorneys and student advocates provide same-day legal advice and sustained eviction defense. We are the largest provider of same-day legal services in the Landlord and Tenant Branch of DC Superior Court.
Our attorneys and paralegals work with thousands of low-income tenants each year to address the widespread repercussions of DC’s affordable housing crisis. We have decades of experience defending vulnerable tenants in landlord–tenant court by providing specialized legal advocacy in complex, high-stakes housing cases, including:
- Illegal rent increases
- Unsafe or uninhabitable living conditions
- Housing discrimination cases, including those involving immigrants, seniors, people with disabilities, and other underserved communities
- Tenant association representation
This work also emphasizes community-based advocacy and education. Attorneys and community partners lead Know Your Rights workshops in eviction hotspots, empowering tenants to understand lease terms, identify illegal landlord practices, and act before a housing crisis escalates.
Record Sealing
In Washington, DC, approximately 68,000 residents—nearly one in ten—live with a criminal record, often dating back more than a decade.
Because these records are publicly accessible, they create persistent barriers to employment, housing, education, professional licensing, public benefits, and participation in community life. Long after a sentence has been served, these barriers continue to limit stability and economic mobility, turning a past conviction into a lifelong burden.
Rising for Justice provides free legal representation to DC residents seeking to seal their criminal records.
Our attorneys partner with pro bono counsel to handle record sealing cases and expand access to relief for those most impacted by systemic inequities. Each year, our staff and pro bono partners help seal more than 600 cases, opening the door to stable employment, housing, and new opportunities for clients and their families.
Respondent Representation
Each year, more than 6,000 Civil Protection Orders (CPOs) and Anti-Stalking Orders (ASOs) are filed in DC Superior Court. While petitioners often receive legal assistance, respondents are almost always unrepresented.
This gap in representation can gravely impact housing, employment, education, and family stability. Respondents with legal counsel better understand their rights and are far more likely to comply with court orders.
The Respondent Representation Program offers free legal representation to respondents in CPO and ASO cases. The program helps ensure outcomes are fair and cases are decided on the merits rather than on access to a lawyer. Our attorneys support respondents through proceedings while prioritizing safety, accountability, and due process.
The Respondent Representation Program supports informed court decisions that respondents are more likely to understand and adhere to, preventing unnecessary harm to petitioners, respondents, and their families.
Rising for Justice is the only organization in DC – and one of the few nationally – that provides respondent representation.
901 4th Street NW, Suite 6000
Washington, DC 20001
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