Get Legal Help in the SF Bay area
What are My Options to Get Legal Help in the San Francisco Bay Area?
Law Soup gives you basic legal information that may answer your questions. But if you have a case or situation that you need help with, you may need a lawyer, or possibly just a document preparation service. We’ve compiled some great resources for you on this page.
I just have a quick legal question. What resources are available?
1. Law Soup: First, check Law Soup SF’s Legal Guides to see if there’s an answer.
2. Rocket Lawyer: If it’s not on Law Soup, your question may be complicated and you may need to spend a little money to get help. We’re partnering with Rocket Lawyer, which has lawyers ready to answer your question for just $49.99! (Save $200+ vs hiring a lawyer) Ask a Lawyer now!1NOTE: Law Soup LLC may receive compensation from Rocket Lawyer if you use any of their services. We stand by every company we endorse. Your purchases from these companies through our links help keep us around to provide you with free legal info! Thank you.
3. Free Legal Clinics
Check with local law schools, including UC Hastings, UC Berkeley
4. Other great informational sites for California
I need more help than that. What should I do?
Consumer Complaints
If you have a complaint or dispute as a consumer, FairShake can help you resolve it and get compensation! No cost for you unless you win money.
Documents and Other Basic Legal Services
For affordable legal documents and services, including consultations with lawyers, we personally recommend Rocket Lawyer.2NOTE: Law Soup Media, Inc. may receive compensation from Rocket Lawyer if you use any of their services. We stand by every company we endorse. Your purchases from these companies through our links help keep us around to provide you with free legal info! Thank you. Rocket Lawyer provides services for families, individuals, and businesses. And they are currently offering a 7 day FREE TRIAL, so sign up ASAP!
Or try to find a good lawyer on your own.
If you have a small business or do any freelancing, you may need help with LLCs, incorporating, contracts, trademark, etc. We highly recommend the Law Offices of Tristan D. Blaine (yes, we’re biased, and yes, that’s me, the editor of Law Soup!).
Also you can find a great business lawyer on UpCounsel and get $100 when you hire someone.3NOTE: Law Soup Media, Inc. may receive compensation from UpCounsel if you use any of their services. We stand by every company we endorse. Your purchases from these companies through our links help keep us around to provide you with free legal info! Thank you.
For other needs, try calling your local bar association and ask for a lawyer referral service. Be sure to check any lawyer’s records at the California Bar Association.
How much does it cost to get legal help?
See our Guide to Legal Costs.
I’m not sure if I can afford a lawyer. What are my options?
If your annual income is less than 125% of the federal poverty level (about $15K for households of just one person, higher for larger families), you may qualify for “pro bono” (aka free or very low cost) legal services. Try LawHelpCA.org.
For small businesses, the SBA (Small Business Administration) offers free consultations with lawyers for those who qualify.
If you don’t qualify for pro bono, there is also “low bono,” which is legal help at reduced fees based on a sliding scale of income.
Note about costs: If you are thinking about suing, for certain types of cases, such as employment or personal injury, you may be able to get a lawyer to handle your case for NO out of pocket cost. These lawyers often simply take a percentage of any money you win in court (this is called working on “contingency”).
Local government help
The City Attorney is a government office which helps people with certain legal issues. For the city of SF, contact the San Francisco City Attorney.
Someone is threatening to do illegal activity or has done illegal activity. What can I do?
If it’s an immediate threat, call 911 right away. Otherwise, report it with the California Department of Justice. See our Guide to Victims Rights for more.
How do I get government services?
Depending on what you need, you may need to contact either your local, state, or federal officials. If you are in the city of San Francisco, you can access many services just by calling 3-1-1, or going to the SF311 page.
References