FAQs

We cannot accommodate same day appointments at this time.

Clients are welcome to walk-in to our office during regular working hours (Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.). Please ring doorbell. 

Main doors are open Monday and Wednesday (10 a.m. -2 p.m.) to see if staff is available to complete an intake or share information with you. 

Clients are also encouraged to visit us at clinics to find out more information.  

LAW Advocates does not have enough staff to take calls live. Instead, we ask callers to leave us a detailed voicemail. Please provide a safe contact number to return your call and let us know if we can leave a detailed voicemail.  After you leave a voicemail, LAW Advocates will return your call in 3 –5 business days.

You can also contact us here.

We do not have lawyers on staff to take client’s cases. Call or email LAW Advocates, an intake person will respond to you and let you know whether we can connect you with a volunteer attorney or what potential other legal resources are available.

If you are looking to hire an attorney, please visit wsba.org/legaldirectory

 LAW Advocates serves residents of Whatcom County who are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line. To determine your eligibility for our services, call our office at 360.671.6079 or email us here. 

Civil legal issues involve disputes over private rights.  LAW Advocates prioritizes civil legal issues that impact access to income, housing, family safety, or consumer debt issues.

Civil legal issues are non-criminal legal issues. For those who have criminal legal issues, you may be eligible for a Public Defender. For more information about Public Defender’s in Whatcom County, visit their website at Public Defender | Whatcom County, WA – Official Website or call the Public Defender’s office at 360.778.5640

 Programs vary, but most programs, support clients with:

  • Consultation: Ask a lawyer your questions for free. Consultations are 15 – 20 minutes.
  • Assistance completing court forms.
  • Instructions for filing forms with court.
  • Assistance preparing for a court hearing.

Clients may be eligible for multiple consultations at our legal clinics. Connect with LAW Advocates to find out about upcoming clinics or visit our Legal Clinic Calendar.

Any legal or other documents related to your case or legal questions. If you don’t have access to your documents, please contact LAW Advocates.

LAW Advocates is only able to assist the person in need of legal assistance. Those who may benefit from our services are encouraged to reach out to us for eligibility screening and intake.

LAW Advocates staff are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice over the phone or via email. If you want to talk to a lawyer, please call or email LAW Advocates to request an intake or stop by any of our in-person clinics.

LAW Advocates has access to a confidential phone and occasionally in-person interpreter service at all clinics.

If you are unable to attend clinics in person, please call us (360-671-6079), or contact us here.

LAW Advocates will attempt to schedule a remote consultation with an attorney. If that is not possible, LAW Advocates may refer you to the Northwest Justice Project CLEAR hotline at 1-888-201-1014

CLEAR is a toll-free legal hotline for people with low incomes, through Northwest Justice Project.

Continue calling during open times (M – F 9:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.)

CLEAR receives thousands of calls every week, so it can take some time to get connected. If you need urgent assistance, please contact LAW Advocates so we can assist you with getting connected to someone at CLEAR.