Use-Case Playbook: Finding Legal Representation
Overview
This playbook helps you identify the right type of attorney for your situation and find free or low-cost legal help. Different legal situations require different specialists — using the wrong type of attorney can result in missed defenses.
Emergency Contacts
| Situation | Contact First |
|---|---|
| Arrested at a protest | NLG: 212-679-6018 or nlg.org/chapters |
| Federal investigation / subpoena | ACLU + federal criminal defense attorney |
| SLAPP suit filed against you | ACLU state affiliate + EFF |
| Voting rights violated | Election Protection: 866-OUR-VOTE |
| Digital rights / device search | EFF: eff.org |
| Immigration | Find services at cliniclegal.org/directory |
| Journalist / source subpoena | Reporters Committee: rcfp.org / 1-800-336-4243 |
Step 1: Match Your Situation to the Right Attorney
Read: Finding Legal Representation: A Guide for Activists, Organizers, and Citizens
The complete guide maps each situation — protest arrest, SLAPP, civil rights violation, federal investigation, whistleblower, digital rights, voting rights, immigration — to the right type of attorney and the best organizations to contact first.
Step 2: Immigration Legal Resources
For immigration-specific representation:
Read: Immigration Legal Resources Directory
The comprehensive directory of national and regional immigration legal services organizations, how to find legal help, and red flags for immigration fraud (notarios).
Step 3: Legal Databases and Research
If you need to verify attorneys, research case law, or look up legal information:
Read: knowledgebase/legal-databases-directory.md Read: Case Law Sources Guide
Free legal research tools: CourtListener, Google Scholar, PACER, Legal Information Institute (Cornell). How to look up an attorney’s bar record and disciplinary history.
Step 4: Free and Low-Cost Resources
Read: Finding Legal Representation: A Guide for Activists, Organizers, and Citizens (Part II: Free and Low-Cost Resources)
- Legal Services Corporation (lsc.gov): Free civil legal aid for income-eligible individuals
- Law school clinics: Free representation in real cases by supervised law students
- Pro bono programs: State bar associations coordinate pro bono matching
- Civil rights organizations (ACLU, NLG, EFF): Take cases with significant constitutional issues on a pro bono basis
Step 5: What to Look for in a Civil Rights Attorney
Read: Finding Legal Representation: A Guide for Activists, Organizers, and Citizens (Part III: What to Look For)
Key questions for your initial consultation:
- How many cases like mine have you handled?
- What were the outcomes?
- Are you admitted in the relevant federal court?
- What is your fee arrangement?
- What is your honest assessment of my case?
Key Organizations by Specialty
| Organization | Specialty |
|---|---|
| National Lawyers Guild (nlg.org) | Protest defense, mass arrests |
| ACLU (aclu.org) | Broad civil liberties across all issues |
| Electronic Frontier Foundation (eff.org) | Digital rights, online speech |
| Reporters Committee (rcfp.org) | Journalist rights, shield laws, FOIA |
| NAACP Legal Defense Fund (naacpldf.org) | Racial justice, civil rights |
| Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights (lawyerscommittee.org) | Voting rights |
| Lambda Legal (lambdalegal.org) | LGBTQ+ civil rights |
| Government Accountability Project (whistleblower.org) | Whistleblower protection |
| National Immigration Law Center (nilc.org) | Immigration |
| Civil Rights Corps (civilrightscorps.org) | Pretrial detention, bail reform |