Finding Legal Help
NILL provides Indian law research assistance but cannot offer legal advice. We are unable to recommend specific attorneys but hope that this guide will help identify legal services that are available. This web page does not represent a complete list of legal aid available. Local libraries might provide local directories of legal aid and lawyers.
See also: Requesting Legal Assistance from the Native American Rights Fund
Three Types of Indian Law Legal Assistance
1. Lawyers and Law Firms
Certain law firms specialize in Native American issues. While law firms may charge a premium for some services, they may also allow discounted, or even free, support for some services. Discounted or free service availability will generally depend on (1) the type of service, (2) situation of the client, or (3) availability of attorneys practicing pro bono work. (Pro bono is a Latin term meaning done without compensation for the public good. Lawyers are encouraged to provide free legal service by volunteering their time. Lawyers practicing pro bono work can be found through pro bono service directories.)
Find Legal Help, American Bar Association
Lawyer Directory – Native Peoples law, FindLaw
LawHelp.org
Indians and Native Populations Lawyer or Law Firm by State, Lawyers.com
Tribal Law Lawyer or Law Firm by State, Lawyers.com
Native American Attorney Profiles, Cornell Legal Information Institute
Lawyer Locator (under Areas of Practice, choose Indians and Native Populations), Martindale Hubbell
State Affiliates of the American Civil Liberties Union
California Indian Legal Services
American Indian Law Career Resource Guide (includes information on law firms practicing Indian Law on page 11), University of Colorado Law School
2. Legal Aid
Every state should have a legal aid service for groups and individuals who meet certain criteria. The support provided may vary from free to affordable/discounted rates. Colorado Legal Services, for instance, does not charge a fee so long as the client meets certain federal income guidelines.
Income eligibility for legal assistance: To find out if you may qualify for legal aid, check out the legal aid requirements set by the Legal Services Corporation. They establish maximum income levels for individuals eligible for legal assistance based on current Federal Poverty Guidelines. In addition the Legal Services Act provides that other specified factors shall be taken into account along with income. See the "Income Level for Individuals Eligible for Assistance" published in the Federal Register (January 26, 2026, 91 FR 3066).
How to Get Free Legal Aid in Your State, Rocket Lawyer
Do You Qualify for Free Legal Aid? (includes a list of state legal aid resources), FindLaw
Indian Law Resource Center
National Indian Justice Center
I Need Legal Help, Legal Services Corporation
Native American Disability Law Center (provides advocacy, referral information, and educational resources to all Native Americans with a disability living anywhere in the Four Corners area)
The
National Indian Child Welfare Association provides
resources for families on ther website which include the fact sheet “
How to Find Free & Low-Cost Legal Assistance.”
3. Indian Law Clinics
Found at some law schools, Indian Law clinics provide law students with experience in Native American law, while providing legal services to tribes and low-income Native clients. Some clinics will work with tribal governments, courts, organizations, and attorneys. Other clinics will work with Native clients on Native issues, representing them in state, federal, tribal, and government hearings. Check the clinic near you for their practice guidelines.
These organizations are associated with university law schools; descriptions are often written for the prospective student. Contact the law clinic to learn more about available services. If a clinic is missing from the list, please contact us.
The Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook People Native American Ik8ldimek Legal Clinic
Arizona: Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program's Tribal Justice Clinic, University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
Indian Legal Clinic, Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
Colorado: American Indian Law Clinic, University of Colorado Law School
Tribal Wills Project, University of Denver Sturm College of Law
Kansas: Tribal Law and Government Center, Tribal Judicial Support Clinic at the University of Kansas School of Law
Massachusetts: Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples Clinic, Suffolk University Law School
Mashpee Wampanoag Legal Services Clinic, UMass Dartmouth School of Law
Michigan: Indian Law Clinic, Michigan State University College of Law
Minnesota: Indian Child Welfare Clinic, University of Minnesota Law
Native American Law Clinic, Mitchell Hamline School of Law
Montana: Various clinics including the Margery Hunter Brown Indian Law Clinic, University of Montana Alexander Blewett III School of Law
New Mexico: Southwest Indian Law Clinic, University of New Mexico School of Law
North Dakota: Northern Plains Indian Law Center, University of North Dakota School of Law
Northwest: Northwest Justice Project: Native American Unit
Oklahoma: American Indian Wills Clinic, Oklahoma City University School of Law
Washington: Tribal Court Clinic, University of Washington School of Law
General Public Practice and Indian Law Clinic, Gonzaga University School of Law
Wisconsin: Great Lakes Indigenous Law Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School
