Resource Binder
Comprehensive Legal Assistance
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Updated 2.22.2025
For non health-related legal matters, email both: legal@cpp.wisc.edu AND jadeh@cpp.wisc.edu with the client's case ID and a brief description of the issue. If immigration related, you may simply indicate that the client needs "immigrant resources" or "immigrant information" to protect client confidentiality.
Community Justice, Incorporated
Location / Contact: Hours of Operation:
214 N. Hamilton St., Ste. 101 Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 204-9642
Call Monday-Thursday between 1pm - 4pm
Potential clients should call during these hours and be prepared to spend 10 to 30 minutes on the phone
About:
A non-profit law firm that provides people with access to justice by offering affordable legal services. CJI works with low-income families and individuals to secure fair representation in court, protecting the legal rights of those who would otherwise face the system alone
Eligibility:
Incomes levels below 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Guideline
Costs:
The fees are based on a sliding scale relative to income.
Legal Action of Wisconsin
Location / Contact:
31 South Mills Street
Madison, WI 53715
(608) 256-3304
About:
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Provides free legal services to low-income people.
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There are different call and walk-in times to different types of legal problems. More information about each on their website
Eligibility:
Based on income (requirements online) and cases are prioritized based on the most critical need
Types of cases they may handle:
Landlord/tenant, family law, welfare/public benefits, medical assistance, Food Shares, Social Security and Disability Income (SSI and SSDI), Unemployment Compensation, Consumer Law, Certain Homeownership problems or foreclosures, Education (K-12 school problems) and migrant worker empolyment
Types of cases they do NOT handle:
Criminal/Prison, Worker's Compensation, Employment Discrimination, Immigration (except for some domestic violence cases), school desegregation, abortion, selective services, and certain fee-generating cases
Modest Mean Panel of the State Bar of Wisconsin
Phone:
(888) 529-7599
Legal Assistance:
Assist people whose income is too high to qualify for free legal services but too low to pay a lawyer’s standard rate. The Program is run by the Lawyer Referral Service at the State Bar. Once completed application is received , we will try to match you with an attorney who has agreed to consider certain cases at a reduced rate. Eligibility: Between 125% and 200% of the federal poverty guideline
State Bar of Wisconsin
Location / Contact:
5302 Eastpark Blvd
Madison, WI 53718-2101
(608) 257-3838
About:
Works with a number of organizations, volunteer attorneys, and government agencies to provide information about lower costs legal options and resources for Wisconsin residents. Most programs have an application process and eligibility requirements that must be met
More info on Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS):
LRIS is a public service to help identify the most appropriate resource for consumers with legal problems. State Bar of Wisconsin members may opt to pay an annual fee to be on a panel of attorneys who receive referrals. Panel members agree to charge no more than $20 for the first 30 minutes of consultation and to pay LRIS a referral fee of 10 percent of any fee over $200 that they collect from referrals. Panel members may not increase their fees to cover any part of the LRIS membership or referral fee. Panel members may accept referrals in any field of law in which they consider themselves competent. LRIS does not warrant that panel attorneys have any special expertise in the area of law for which a client was referred.
The Economic Justice Institute
About:
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Free legal advice provided by law students and attorneys
Clinics:
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Consumer Law: provides assistance and information to Wisconsin consumers with legal problems involving businesses such as debt collection, repossession, fraud and misrepresentation, unfair business practices and high-cost credit from payday and online lenders
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Consumer Mediation: mediate a variety of cases in the Dane County Small Claims Court including landlord-tenant, contract, employment, auto-accident and property damage cases.
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Family Court: The FCC is a voluntary program available to low-income individuals who want help with a paternity, restraining order, divorce or a post- divorce matter.
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Neighborhood Law: Provides individual representation in landlord-tenant, public benefits, and wage and hour cases. Community project advocacy, such as legislative analysis, community legal education, and community mobilization
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Immigrant Justice: provides assistance and information to Wisconsin consumers with legal problems involving businesses such as debt collection, repossession, fraud and misrepresentation, unfair business practices and high-cost credit from payday and online lenders
Locations and phone numbers vary based on clinic
Sunshine Legal Clinic updated 3.13.2025
Location:
18 Rickel Road
PO Box 307
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
About:
Sunshine Legal Clinic provides 30 minute legal consultations and referral services for free on many legal issues. Volunteer attorneys “cannot accept your case or represent you in any legal action in which you may be involved. Assistance is limited and ends at the end of the 30 minute consultation.”
Sunshine Legal Clinic can provide legal consultation in a variety of areas, including:
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Child Support and Family Law
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Tenant Rights
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Consumer Protection
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Unemployment Compensation
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Wills and Estate Planning
Advance sign-up is required.
The Sunshine Legal Clinic provides free legal consultation to neighbors facing hardship. Includes up to a 30 minute virtual appointment for legal consultation and/or referral services for a variety of legal matters.
Please click on the link below to request an appointment or email sunshinelegalclinic@gmail.com click on the link below to request an appointment.
Please note: Individuals must live in Dane County to qualify for a consultation.