Let me first say: I am not a lawyer. Nothing in this post is intended to give you legal advice!

Now, as a mediator I am sometimes asked about how to find a lawyer. While many mediators are lawyers, I am not – and even if your mediator is a lawyer, they are not allowed to represent you or give you legal advice while mediating!  (A lot of mediating is about neutrality, and the mediator would not be a neutral third party if they gave one side legal advice.)

Since I became a mediator, I have learned about a few options for people who think they need a lawyer. These are either low/no-cost services, or, services that are intended to put you in touch with a lawyer who you then can decide whether or not to hire. There are three services local to where I live that I’ll highlight in this post.

Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV)

LSNV is a nonprofit whose mission is to provide access to justice for disadvantaged individuals and communities. Designed to help...