Operates several advice clinics at a variety of locations and times (including evenings), makes referrals to volunteer attorneys and provides public information for low-income clients. Attorneys on staff can provide limited emergency services depending on the client's legal issue. Areas of assistance can include: - Family Law & Domestic Violence - Landlord/Tenant - Foreclosure - Consumer and Business - Bankruptcy - Vacation of Criminal Records - Reinstatement of Driver License - Veteran Assistance - Wills, Probate, Guardianship, and Power of Attorney. Also serves as a referral partner with the Federal Civil Rights Clinic. Will direct clients to the clinic for intake, appointments, and follow up.

Attorneys who provide advice and (sometimes) representation for those who are being evicted or who are having Landlord/Tenant issues. Interpreters available.

Provides advice and limited in-court representation to low-income renters.

- Offers free legal assistance to low-income tenants involved in residential eviction court proceedings. Legal assistants interview tenants and attorneys review all relevant documents. - Attorneys will represent in court and to resolve filed eviction lawsuit; attorneys will also negotiate with the landlord and represent the tenant. - Attorneys are unable to assist with evictions from emergency shelters or residential care facilities (such as nursing homes). Attorneys may assist those being evicted from permanent, transitional, and manufactured (mobile home) housing. - Drop-in child care provided by the Children's Home Society at the Regional Justice Center for parents while they appear in court.

Has free legal advice clinics in Olympia, Aberdeen and Shelton for those with income below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Also assist residents of Lewis County in Olympia until a clinic can get set up in Lewis County. Uses volunteer attorneys to assist income-eligible individuals with advice in the areas of family law, landlord tenant law, consumer law, will and estate and employment law. Clients MUST contact CLEAR (1-888-201-1014) between 9am and noon Monday through Friday to be scheduled for a legal advice clinic. FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, CALL SOUND LEGAL AID OFFICE DIRECTLY 360-705-8194. Clinics are held in Olympia, Aberdeen and Shelton on various days of the month. (Currently clinics are over the phone due to the community response to COVID-19) Victims of Domestic Violence are seen at SafePlace. (Clinic is closed due to the community response to COVID-19, but help is still provided over the phone) THOSE PEOPLE NEEDING EMERGENCY PROTECTION ORDERS SHOULD CALL 360-705-8194.

Provides dispute resolution by means of mediation, conciliation, facilitation and training. Types of disputes include but are not limited to: landlord/tenant; consumer/merchant; parent/teenager; employer/employee; neighbor/neighbor; family; divorce; parenting plans/property division; small claims court cases; and non-violent criminal cases.

Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) housing and zoning inspectors respond to complaints about:   -  Minimum housing standards -  Land use violations -  Shorelines -  "Just cause" eviction -  Vacant and unfit buildings -  Lock-outs -  Rent increases without proper notice -  Landlord or property manager retaliation -  Landlord or property manager entering a unit without both notice and consent -  Prohibiting tenant organizing -  Landlord or property manager harassment Health and safety are the department's first priorities for investigation and resolution of reported violations.    Health concerns include tenant complaints about conditions that may cause mold in rental units, such as excessive moisture. Seattle’s Housing and Building Maintenance Code (HBMC) contains requirements designed to keep building occupants dry and warm. In a building maintained in compliance with code requirements, all components of the building including foundation, roof, walls and windows are reasonably weather tight, watertight and damp-free.   SDCI conducts inspections of the property named in the complaint and contacts the landlord. SDCI sets a time frame for voluntary resolution.   Code compliance specialists will take cases that violate housing codes, and will require rescission of bad eviction notices and correction of unsafe or unpermitted housing conditions. The law department will eventually sue violators if necessary. Also performs investigations of illegal evictions.   New enforcement for leases entered into after 1/15/17. Refer if: -  The landlord requires security deposit/nonrefundable move-in fees that are more than first month's rent   -  The landlord requires nonrefundable move-in fees other than for tenant screening report, cleaning at termination of tenancy, criminal background check, or credit report   -  The landlord requires a pet deposit that is more than 25% of first month's rent or any other pet fee/rent -  The landlord refuses to enter payment plan for security deposit/nonrefundable move-in fees, pet deposit, or last month's rent -  The deposit not returned and no move-in checklist was signed by landlord and tenant at move-in -  No statement of deposit or deposit returned 21 days after tenant moved out   Advance notice may be needed for an interpreter.

Takes complaints and investigates situations that include: - Accumulation of junk and debris - Clearing or grading without permits - Construction without a permit - Dangerous or open-to-entry buildings - Illegally placed mobile homes or factory-assembled structures - Irresponsible or hazardous development - Livestock infractions - Open wells and other hazardous conditions - Operation of an illegal business - Storage of junk cars - Zoning code infractions Investigates possible code violations.    Operates a 24-hour telephone hotline for reports of serious violations of environmental laws during off hours. The hotline allows staff to react and halt damage.

Services are provided by trained professional mediators who volunteer their time. Services include: - Face to Face Mediation - Coaching for problems - Some simple negotiation over the telephone TYPES OF PROBLEMS THE CENTER WILL HANDLE: - Divorce mediation - Parenting Plan mediation - Neighborhood problems (noise, pets, parking, lawn & garden, property line problems and other nuisances) - Landlord-tenant issues (deposits, repairs, damages, etc.) - Real estate or personal property - Business consumer problems (faulty merchandise, refunds, exchanges, etc.) - Employer/employee grievances - School problems involving faculty or administration, students or parents - Family issues such as problems related to divorce and parenting plans - Other domestic problems not involving violence or other factors that require professional intervention or assistance TYPES OF PROBLEMS NOT HANDLED: Any problem requiring legal assistance, such as filing lawsuits (criminal defenses, will preparation, etc.); issues involving drug/alcohol abuse, domestic violence, abuse to children, or issues where one or more parties fears abuse; or problems where a party cannot speak adequately on their own behalf, although can work with clients who have a case manager. Other Services Provided: - Offers workshop of varying lengths to organizations, businesses, and groups on a range of topics including: conflict resolution, negotiation, communication, conflict styles, and dealing with difficult people. - Victim Offender Meeting Program: Brings together victims of juvenile crime with the offenders to talk about the impact of the crime and for the youth to make amends. - Assists senior citizens to resolve disputes with family members, businesses, landlords, neighbors and others through mediation. - Parent Youth Mediation Service: Allows parents and teenagers or pre-teens to sit down together to talk about how things are going within the family and develop agreements on behaviors, level of independence, respectful communication and consequences. Co-mediators assist the mediating parties.

Provides dispute resolution by means of mediation, conciliation, facilitation and training. Types of disputes include but are not limited to: landlord/tenant; consumer/merchant; parent/teenager; employer/employee; neighbor/neighbor; family; divorce; parenting plans/property division; small claims court cases; and non-violent criminal cases.

Provides information on landlord-tenant laws and legal rights and options for tenants with immediate housing problems, including eviction. One-on-one counseling is available. Assists in organizing groups of tenants to bring about landlord compliance with the Landlord/Tenant Act and existing housing codes. Provides community education on tenant issues, advocates for tenants' rights and offers referrals for rent assistance. Does not provide legal counsel, but does provide referrals to appropriate counsel.

Provides support for housing stability for those impacted by overdue rent and rent accumulation. Works with both Landlords and Tenants to assess rental assistance availability and post eviction moratorium repayment agreements.

Provides tenant education to tenants only on the rights and responsibilities of both tenant and landlord. Provides tenant resources, eviction prevention resources and legal aid resource information. This is done over the phone through the Voice Message Line (see times below) Offers Rent Smart webinars and workshops, as well as one-on-one conversations via the voice message line to address rental issues. Webinar and message line services are available in English and Spanish, and translation services are available for other languages.

Operates a legal clinic providing a free 30-minute consultation with an attorney (60 minutes if an interpreter or other accommodation is needed) Clinic is open to all, but particular focus is on providing culturally-informed legal services in a safe and welcoming environment to individuals who identify as African American or Black. This clinic is staffed primarily by attorneys of color. Clinic attorneys can: -  Determine whether the client has a legal problem -  Suggest possible options -  Help answer papers, summons and requests -  Provide appropriate referrals   Neighborhood Legal Clinic attorneys may not have expertise in all areas of the law, but they will make every attempt to answer questions accurately. Attorneys CANNOT give advice on criminal legal issues or provide representation on any legal matters.

Has free legal advice clinics in Olympia, Aberdeen and Shelton for those with income below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Also assist residents of Lewis County in Olympia until a clinic can get set up in Lewis County. Uses volunteer attorneys to assist income-eligible individuals with advice in the areas of family law, landlord tenant law, consumer law, will and estate and employment law. Clients MUST contact CLEAR (1-888-201-1014) between 9am and noon Monday through Friday to be scheduled for a legal advice clinic. FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, CALL SOUND LEGAL AID OFFICE DIRECTLY 360-705-8194. Clinics are held in Olympia, Aberdeen and Shelton on various days of the month. (Currently clinics are over the phone due to the community response to COVID-19) Victims of Domestic Violence are seen at SafePlace. (Clinic is closed due to the community response to COVID-19, but help is still provided over the phone) THOSE PEOPLE NEEDING EMERGENCY PROTECTION ORDERS SHOULD CALL 360-705-8194.

Provides free legal advice and/or representation to low-income Kitsap County tenants facing eviction.

Provides MEDIATION services only. Does NOT mediate dissolutions (divorce) or child custody matters. Does NOT offer any legal advice. Parties voluntarily negotiate the settlement of their disputes with an impartial third party. The parties decide the outcome of the mediation, rather than a judge or arbitrator. The mediator serves to guide the process, mediators are second- and third-year law students under the supervision of law faculty. Typical mediation cases include: - Buyer/Seller - Real Estate Issues - Consumer/Business - Co-workers - Employer/Employee - Housemates/Roommates - Landlord/Tenant - Neighbors - Student/Staff - General Civil Litigation

Provides free legal assistance for low-income individuals who would otherwise be denied access to the legal system because of the inability to pay. Potential clients are screened to determine income and case eligibility. Referrals are made to local attorneys who volunteer their time. Provides legal assistance with the following: Family Law (includes family law class to anyone who is seeking help in having their family law court documents reviewed), Debtor-Creditor, Bankruptcy, Social Security/ Disability, Wills/Power of Attorneys, Guardianship, Landlord/Tenant, Child Support, Immigration, and Protection Order. * Does not assist with: Criminal matters (of any kind including traffic infractions), Termination of Parental Rights, or Adoptions.

Provides comprehensive mediation services including small claims court referrals, parenting plans, rental housing mediation, and community mediation. Training offered for certification.

Provides voluntary confidential mediation to individuals, organizations and communities. Serves as an alternative or compliment to the judicial system, provides professional training in mediation and conflict resolution, and promotes the vital importance of peacefully resolving disputes. Provides assistance with the following issues: -  Neighborhood problems (noise, pets, parking, lawn & garden, property line problems and other nuisances) -  Landlord-tenant issues (deposits, repairs, damages, etc.) -  Real estate or personal property -  Foreclosure mediation -  Business consumer problems (faulty merchandise, refunds, exchanges, etc.) -  Employer/employee grievances -  School problems involving faculty or administration, students or parents -  Family issues such as problems related to divorce and parenting plans -  Other domestic problems not involving violence or other factors that require professional intervention or assistance Does not assist with the following issues: -  Any problem requiring legal assistance, such as filing lawsuits, criminal defenses, will preparation, etc. -  Issues involving drug/alcohol abuse, domestic violence, abuse to children, or issues where one or more parties fears abuse -  Problems where a party cannot speak adequately on their own behalf, although can work with clients who have a case manager

Provides information and referrals to both landlords and tenants to resolve disputes that arise under the Washington State Residential Landlord-Tenant Act.   Available to both property owners, property managers, and tenants within the Tacoma City Limits.

Offers free legal assistance to tenants involved in eviction disputes. Attorneys will offer legal advice and referrals; attorneys may also be able to negotiate with the landlord or represent the tenant.

Provides legal information and advice for the following issues depending on attorney availability:   -  Auto accidents - Birth injuries -  Consumer law - Criminal defense -  Family law -  Finance -  Immigration -  Landlord-tenant law -  Medical negligence -  Personal injury -  Property law -  Worker's rights/wage claims

Provides free civil legal services for youth and young adults between ages 12-24 who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

Provides comprehensive rental and ownership housing counseling services, certified by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Counseling services address topics of delinquency and landlord/tenant mediation; and financial planning and pre-purchase. Also provides general information about HUD-subsidized programs, insurance and fair housing. Additionally, offers a foreclosure prevention program that combines mortgage, reverse mortgage and pre-foreclosure counseling, stabilization loans and repayment plans, to help low-income families in danger of losing their homes. Rather than being forced into a sale by the mortgage holder and thus forfeiting their equity, program offers borrowers two alternative options: avoiding default by working through a repayment plan to stay in their home, or gaining enough time to sell their homes on their own terms. Provides foreclosure mediation services as part of the Foreclosure Fairness Program.