The Attorney General’s Office of Military and Veteran Legal Assistance can help you obtain civil legal assistance. Please read the following information before completing and submitting the form below.

Introduction

The Attorney General’s Office of Military and Veteran Legal Assistance (OMVLA) can connect volunteer attorneys and civil legal assistance programs to qualifying military service members and veterans who need help with select civil legal issues.

Am I eligible?

An individual is eligible to request assistance from OMVLA if the individual (or spouse):

• Is currently serving or formerly served in any branch of the military (active duty, Reserves, or National Guard);
• Is domiciled or stationed in Washington State;
• Has income at or below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines;
• Is not otherwise represented by or able to pay for a private attorney; and
• Is seeking assistance with a civil legal matter (as opposed to a criminal matter).

How do I request civil legal assistance?

Eligible individuals looking for help connecting to civil legal assistance should complete and submit the “Request for Civil Legal Assistance” form below.

The form is also available in alternate formats by submitting a request by email (preferred) to OMVLA@atg.wa.gov or by mail at the following address:
Because the Attorney General’s Office is a public entity, information included on the request form may be subject to public disclosure pursuant to the state’s Public Records Act. We suggest not including any information beyond what is necessary to understanding the nature of the legal issue for which you are seeking assistance.

If you have any questions about the form, please feel free to call OMVLA at (206) 464-6431.

Even if you think you may not be eligible, you may still contact OMVLA with a question or concern. The office cannot provide you with legal advice or representation, but may be able to offer some general information and resources to help you.

What happens after I submit a request for civil legal assistance?

After receiving the request form, OMVLA staff will evaluate your eligibility for, and the availability of, civil legal assistance resources. You can expect to receive an acknowledgement of your request within 3 business days after OMVLA receives it. OMVLA staff may follow up to request additional information if necessary.

If the eligibility criteria is met, OMVLA staff will help you to obtain services from a civil legal assistance program or volunteer attorneys. Volunteer attorneys are not obligated to accept case referrals and OMVLA may make multiple referrals as needed. OMVLA cannot guarantee representation or that you will be provided legal services.

If a volunteer attorney cannot be identified within 30 days of receipt of your request, you will be notified and provided information about other potential resources.

Who will represent me?

Under state law, the Attorney General’s Office is prohibited from directly providing legal advice or representation to individuals. Instead, OMVLA works to help connect individuals seeking legal assistance with attorneys and civil legal assistance programs.

OMVLA attempts to match individuals requesting assistance with civil legal assistance programs and volunteer attorneys by legal issue area, geography, and other factors.

OMVLA volunteer attorneys are licensed members of the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) authorized to practice law in Washington State. WSBA is the entity with the responsibility for regulating and disciplining lawyers.

When facilitating representation, the Attorney General’s Office assumes no responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of registered volunteer attorneys. Helping connect individuals to legal assistance does not constitute the Attorney General’s endorsement or recommendation of a particular program or attorney.

What is required of me?

Civil legal aid programs and attorneys registered to volunteer with OMVLA provide free legal assistance services. Depending on the nature of the legal issue, you may be expected to pay other expenses related to the matter, which could include filing fees, costs for service of process, copying charges, and other miscellaneous costs. This is something you can speak with the volunteer attorney or civil legal aid program about in more detail.

You are also expected to cooperate fully with the volunteer attorney and make yourself reasonably accessible for communication and appointments.

A civil legal aid organization or volunteer attorney will also likely request that you sign a “Legal Services Agreement” that, among other things, details the scope of the services they will provide and the conditions under which the representation will terminate.

Reminder: To be eligible to request assistance from OMVLA the individual or spouse should have an income at or below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines.