Legal Aid and Public Interest Law

Legal aid in Philadelphia refers to free civil legal services for low-income residents, covering housing, public benefits, family law, consumer debt, employment and immigration. Public interest law refers to organizations that also bring systemic cases (class actions, policy advocacy) on behalf of groups of people. Civil legal aid is distinct from criminal defense, where the Constitution guarantees counsel. ^[1]

1 Major organizations

Community Legal Services, founded in the 1960s, is the city's largest civil legal aid provider and a common first stop for eligibility screening; it operates from Center City and neighborhood offices. SeniorLAW Center serves older adults. The Legal Clinic for the Disabled represents people with disabilities. Philadelphia VIP coordinates volunteer private attorneys. The Tenant Union Representative Network (TURN) combines legal help with tenant education and organizing. Law school clinics and bar association programs add capacity. ^[2]

2 Right to counsel in eviction

City Council passed a right-to-counsel law in November 2019, guaranteeing free legal representation to eligible low-income tenants facing eviction; the program began in selected ZIP codes and has expanded in phases. The City's description of the program lists coverage for eviction cases, lease terminations and terminations of Philadelphia Housing Authority subsidy, in both court proceedings and administrative proceedings such as those of the Fair Housing Commission. Eligibility depends on household income (the City's program description has used 200 percent of the federal poverty level) and ZIP code, and the City's Philly Tenant website currently lists ten covered ZIP codes: 19121, 19124, 19131, 19132, 19134, 19139, 19141, 19144, 19153 and 19154. The list has changed over time, so check it before relying on it. Participating providers include CLS, SeniorLAW Center, the Legal Clinic for the Disabled, Philly VIP and TURN. The Philly Tenant Hotline is (267) 443-2500. See Eviction Diversion and Landlord-Tenant Court. ^[3]

3 Impact litigation and policy work

The Public Interest Law Center, a nonprofit law firm, brings systemic cases. For example, it has represented tenants in a class action against a large landlord over alleged unsafe conditions and unlawful rent collection, and it has litigated education-funding and civil-rights cases. Legal aid organizations also participate in rule-making and testify on bills, such as the Safe and Healthy Homes Act, and help shape landlord-tenant law. Allegations in pending litigation remain allegations until decided.

4 Funding and capacity

Legal aid funding comes from the federal Legal Services Corporation (with restrictions), state Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts, City contracts, foundations (see Philanthropy in Philadelphia), bar associations and individual donations. Advocates routinely report that demand exceeds capacity, and providers triage by case type and merit. Because many offices rely on federal funds, changes in federal policy and budgets affect services.

5 Finding help

Start with a screening call or walk-in at a legal aid office, the Philadelphia Bar Association's lawyer referral service, or the City's tenant resources. See How to Get Help From the City. This page is general information, not legal advice.

See also: Tenant and Housing Advocacy Groups, First Judicial District, Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Court.

References

1. Legal Services Corporation and Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network descriptions of civil legal aid.
2. Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, About page (clsphila.org); organization websites for SeniorLAW Center, Legal Clinic for the Disabled and Philly VIP.
3. City of Philadelphia, "Right to Counsel" and "Get free legal help to avoid eviction" (phila.gov); WHYY, "'This is momentous': Philly to guarantee lawyers for some renters facing eviction."
4. Public Interest Law Center, case descriptions (pubintlaw.org).