Legal Resources

MANP member organizations can access some limited pro bono legal assistance for topics related to nonprofit governance, employment law, and other common nonprofit issues, and can find Maine attorneys providing paid legal services to nonprofits in our Business Finder directory.

We have compiled a list of additional legal support resources below. 

Legal Resources for Nonprofit Organizations

Democracy Protection Network

A coordinated network of experts providing assistance related to physical security, cybersecurity, crisis communications, legal advice and representation, and more. In most cases, the Democracy Protection Network will coordinate pro-bono services for qualifying organizations and individuals, though in some cases they may offer low-cost services (or a combination of both).

We the Action

Connects lawyers with causes. Includes the Nonprofit Legal Defense Network (NLDN), which helps nonprofits seeking legal guidance, technical assistance, and legal defense.

TrustLaw

A global pro bono legal network that works with law firms and corporate legal teams to facilitate free legal support, research and resources for civil society organizations, social enterprises and non-profit independent media around the globe.

The Maine Bar Association offers a Lawyer Referral Service, though this is not intended for finding pro bono services.

Legal Aid for Individuals

MANP does not specialize in connecting individuals with attorneys, but we have compiled a list of organizations below that provide free or low-cost services, or are a resource related to legal costs.  

In Maine

• American Civil Liberties Union - litigation, advocacy, lobbying, public education
• AmeriCorp Legal Access Program - Created by Alpha Legal Foundation in partnership with Volunteer Maine and AmeriCorps to train and deploy dedicated non lawyers to serve as Legal Access Navigators—community-based advocates who provide legal education, forms assistance, and referrals to social support resources in routine civil legal matters.
• Disability Rights Maine - connections to advocates and legal assistance
• Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) - direct legal services as well as community education
• Legal Services for Maine Elders - free legal help for older Mainers
• Maine Equal Justice - legal assistance to people in Maine whose incomes are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
• Maine Human Rights Commission - File a complaint about unlawful discrimination. Also has an attorney referral directory, and educational resources about human rights laws.
• Maine Solidarity Fund - financial support for bail, bonds, and legal fees
• Pine Tree Legal - free civil legal assistance in cases where it can make a difference in one’s ability to meet one’s basic human needs or in enforcing one’s basic human rights, including access to housing, food, income, safety, education, and healthcare.
• Project Relief ME - support for legal fees for ICE and CBP detainees
• University of Maine School of Law - Clinics at Maine Law - a small legal services provider in which clients are represented by “student attorneys”. The Clinics represent low-income individuals with legal cases throughout Maine for most kinds of civil, criminal, juvenile, and family law matters.
• Volunteer Lawyer's Project - connects volunteer attorneys with individuals needing legal assistance with civil matters.

In addition, the Maine Bar Association offers a Lawyer Referral Service, though this is not intended for finding pro bono services.

Beyond Maine

• GLAD Law Answers - free and confidential legal information, assistance, and referrals.
• Immigration Equality - legal guidance and representation for LGBTQ+ people
• Lamda Legal -  Has a help desk for general legal information and resources relating to discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, and HIV status. Not for crisis support or personalized legal advice. 
• National Immigration Legal Services Directory - users can search for free or low-cost immigration legal services providers by state, county, or detention facility. Users can refine their search by areas and types of legal assistance provided, populations served, and languages spoken.
• National Center for LGBTQ+ Rights - provides critical legal services to those who might otherwise be left defenseless, helping to challenge unjust laws, defend civil rights, and support individuals navigating complex and hostile legal systems
• Transgender Law Center - Has a Help Desk for basic information about laws and policies in the U.S. that affect transgender people across many areas, including employment, health care, housing, civil rights, immigration, prisoners' rights, and identity document changes. Does not provide individualized legal advice or representation. 

This webpage is provided for educational resource purposes only, and does not constitute an endorsement of specific organizations or services.