Because Justice Is For All

Civil legal aid provided by Neighborhood Legal Services works to promote fairness in the civil justice system, regardless of how much money you have.

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Click Here for Information about our 60th Anniversary Event

Open the Doors to Justice

Providing Civil Legal Aid for Nearly 60 Years

NLS secures justice and resolves fundamental legal problems for those who are low-income and vulnerable in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, and Lawrence Counties by providing high-quality legal services and community legal education. Founded in 1966, NLS has provided civil legal aid to more than 1.2 million of our low-income neighbors in need of legal assistance. Click here for our Guide to Help brochure. Cliquea para obtener el folleto de ayuda.

NLS offers various levels of service on different legal issues. Some individuals may receive representation, others legal advice, and others referrals to available resources. While we wish we could provide full representation to every applicant on every legal issue, we simply do not have enough funding and staff resources to do so. Therefore, in addition to financial eligibility restrictions, NLS may limit the scope and/or type of legal assistance offered.

Types of Services

FAMILY: Custody, Divorce, Child Support, Representation for Victims of Crime and Domestic Violence, and Guardianship. HOUSING: Landlord-Tenant Defense, Wrongful Eviction, Tangled Titles, Public or Subsidized Housing Denials, Utility or Security Deposit Issues. CONSUMER: Bankruptcy, Sheriff and Property Tax Sales, Mortgage Foreclosures, Debt Collection, and Auto Repossession. PUBLIC BENEFITS: Denials of SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP, TANF, LIHEAP, and Unemployment Benefits. SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY: Benefit Denials, Terminations, Overpayments, and Underpayments. EMPLOYMENT: Wages Claims, Criminal Record Expungement, Denial of Family and Medical Leave Benefits, Workplace Discrimination, Driver's License Suspensions, and Job Terminations. ELDER: Living Wills, Healthcare, Power of Attorney, Victims of Physical, Emotional, or Financial Abuse. VETERANS: Denial of Veteran Benefits, Military Discharge Upgrades, Prevention of Utility Shut-offs, Help in Resolving Housing or Debt Issues.

Join the Fight for Justice

Investing in Equal Access

Funding for civil legal aid is grossly inadequate. NLS only has the financial resources to help a fraction of those in need. Your financial assistance to NLS helps our neighbors in crisis return to safe, productive lives.

NLS works diligently to raise funds to support programs and services for those who have nowhere else to turn for help. There are many ways you can help bridge the justice gap in our community by investing in civil justice and supporting NLS.

Donate To NLS

Learn About the Equal Justice Campaign

Helping Those in Need

NLS welcomes those who wish to volunteer time and services in helping our clients obtain equal access to justice, particularly attorneys and law students who can assist our attorneys in representing clients before judicial and administrative bodies.

We also welcome trained paralegals as volunteers. We can be flexible in work schedules and can work with you to determine the site that best fits your needs and area of expertise. Whether you are currently practicing, recently retired or just starting your career, NLS would meet with you to determine where your legal talents and experience can help fulfill our mission.

Volunteer With NLS

NLS Special Service Programs

NLS provides civil legal aid through a variety of programs.

Medical Legal Collaborative

Secure better health for children by pairing a family in need with a NLS attorney to advocate for the child.

Women’s Impact Network

Legal services, career services and support for women facing sudden economic distress. Click here to learn more.

Disability Advocacy for Children and Youth Transitioning to Adulthood

Helping children and young adults with disabilities get the social security benefits they deserve. Legal assistance for new applicants, those denied, and those facing redeterminations (when turning 18) or terminations of benefits. Click here to learn more.

Project HEALS

Addresses homelessness and works to stabilize housing for those experiencing civil legal problems causing housing insecurity through targeted outreach, holistic services and social work support. Click here to learn more.

Victims of Crime

Lawyers and social workers who help victims resolve legal issues resulting from victimization. For more information about our VOCA program click here

Veterans

Legal assistance to veterans and military families to help low-income veterans secure or retain benefits, prevent utility shut-offs, stop evictions, and remove legal barriers to employment. To read about our Veteran Justice Project click here.

Elder

Help the elderly by preparing living wills, powers of attorney, and by providing health care planning and alternatives to guardianship.

Client Stories

“My NLS lawyer spent time talking to me about what abuse is. I hadn’t recognized a lot of what my husband had done as abuse, because most of the people in my family exhibited those behaviors.”

Charlotte S., Pittsburgh

“Having my son back is a gift from NLS that I can never repay.”

Sandra B., Butler

“I’m satisfied now. This house meant a lot to my mother and my grandmother. Now, thanks to Neighborhood Legal Services, I can qualify for assistance and fix it up. I’ve already started!”

Keith B., Pittsburgh

“Legal aid through NLS saved our lives. I'm certain of it”

Chloe, Pittsburgh

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Read about how civil legal aid impacted our client's lives