Legal Aid and Pro Bono Services for Domestic Violence in Atlanta

Survivors of domestic violence often need assistance navigating legal systems: obtaining protective orders, handling family law issues (custody, divorce, support), securing safe housing, and obtaining immigration relief. In Atlanta and the surrounding metro area, several legal aid, pro bono, and victim-assistance programs are dedicated to supporting survivors. This guide outlines major resources, what they offer, and how survivors can access them safely.

Key Legal Aid & Pro Bono Providers in Atlanta / Metro Area

1. Atlanta Legal Aid Society (ALAS)

Website: atlantalegalaid.org Atlanta Legal Aid+3Atlanta Legal Aid+3Atlanta Legal Aid+3
Phone / Intake:

• Fulton County / Downtown: 404-524-5811 Atlanta Legal Aid+2Atlanta Legal Aid+2

• Clayton County: 404-669-0233 Atlanta Legal Aid

• Cobb County: 770-528-2565 Atlanta Legal Aid+2GSU Law Library Guides+2

• DeKalb County: 404-377-0701 Atlanta Legal Aid+1

• Gwinnett County: 678-376-4545 Atlanta Legal Aid

Services Provided:

• Free civil legal aid for low-income individuals in metro Atlanta (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton) Atlanta Legal Aid+2Atlanta Legal Aid+2

• Representation in domestic violence matters, including protective orders, custody, child support, divorce, and related family law issues Atlanta Legal Aid+2Atlanta Legal Aid+2

• Special projects for survivors (e.g. disability, senior law, kinship, home defense) Atlanta Legal Aid+1

• Self-help and court-based clinics, medical-legal partnerships, community outreach Atlanta Legal Aid+2Atlanta Legal Aid+2

Eligibility / Notes:

• Must meet low-income guidelines; exceptions may apply based on case type or urgency. Atlanta Legal Aid+2Atlanta Legal Aid+2

• Services primarily for metro-Atlanta (5 counties) but some statewide or specialized services via GeorgiaLegalAid.org Atlanta Legal Aid+2Georgia Legal Aid+2

2. Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF)

Website: avlf.org AVLF
Phone: 404-521-0790 AVLF

Services Provided:

• Domestic Violence / Intimate Partner Abuse: free legal help for survivors to file a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) and other legal options. AVLF

• Safe Families Office (courthouse-based): consultations, legal information, referrals for survivors. georgiavictimnetwork.org+2AVLF+2

• Family Law Program / Safe & Stable Families / Standing with Survivors initiatives that assist in custody, divorce, and related family law matters for vulnerable survivors. AVLF

Special Notes:

• AVLF is a major pro bono legal services provider in Atlanta for survivors and tenants. AVLF+1

• They may match survivors with volunteer attorneys or provide limited-scope legal help. AVLF

3. Georgia Victim Legal Assistance Network (VLAN)

Website / Network Info: georgiavictimnetwork.org georgiavictimnetwork.org
Partners: Atlanta Legal Aid, AVLF, Georgia Asylum & Immigration Network (GAIN), Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP) georgiavictimnetwork.org

Services Provided Through VLAN:

• Representation for victims of crime (including domestic violence) in civil legal matters: protective orders, divorce, custody, housing, benefits, immigration, and health/education issues georgiavictimnetwork.org

• Assistance with supportive services like public benefits, emergency housing referrals, victims’ compensation, and mental health referrals georgiavictimnetwork.org

• VLAN attorneys work across Georgia, but with focus in the metro and collaborating agencies in Atlanta. georgiavictimnetwork.org

4. Cobb Pro Bono Project / Cobb Justice Foundation (part of ALAS pro bono programs)

Details:

• Cobb Justice Foundation is a pro bono arm associated with Legal Aid of Cobb County and the Cobb County Bar Association. Pro Bono Net+1

• They refer civil cases for low-income Cobb County residents to volunteer attorneys — including protective orders and family law matters involving survivors of domestic violence. Pro Bono Net+1

• ALAS offers pro bono opportunities and trains volunteer attorneys in family law and domestic violence issues. Atlanta Legal Aid+2legalaidprobono.org+2

5. Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP)

Website: glsp.org Georgia Legal Services Program
Scope: Serves Georgians in 154 counties outside of the metro-Atlanta area, with some statewide services. Georgia Legal Services Program

Services Provided:

• Civil legal services for low-income Georgians in rural and suburban areas outside metro Atlanta: includes family law, domestic violence, housing, benefits, and more. Georgia Legal Services Program+2Georgia Legal Aid+2

• Operates a Family Violence Divorce Advice & Counsel Hotline for survivors in Georgia. Georgia Commission on Family Violence+2Georgia Legal Services Program+2

6. Atlanta Bar Association & Modest Means / Lawyer Referral Services

Website / Info: atlantabar.org atlantabar.org

Services Provided:

• Pro Bono Referrals / Legal Referral & Information Service (LRIS): helps match low-income or modest means callers with attorneys willing to accept cases at reduced or pro bono rates. GSU Law Library Guides+1

• Modest Means Program: for residents who don’t qualify for legal aid but can’t afford full private attorney costs. Cases include child support, custody, divorce, etc. GSU Law Library Guides+1

How to Safely Access Legal Help in Atlanta

• Use a private device or incognito mode to search for legal help.

• Call or apply through secure lines; avoid using devices monitored by your abuser.

• Ask whether remote or virtual intake is possible.

• Prepare (if safe) documentation: photos, texts, police reports, court papers, IDs, housing leases, witness contact info.

• Clear browsing history or call logs after searching.

• If meeting in person, go during daylight, bring someone you trust or use safe transport.

• For court visits, consider arranging legal accompaniment through the Safe Families Office or advocacy programs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Are these services free?
Yes — the organizations above generally provide free legal services for qualifying survivors of domestic violence (for protective orders, custody, divorce, etc.). Some pro bono or modest means programs may involve limited fees in specific cases.

2. Do I need to live in Atlanta city proper?
No — legal aid services are available across multiple metro counties (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton) via Atlanta Legal Aid. GLSP covers more rural counties beyond metro area. Georgia Commission on Family Violence+3Atlanta Legal Aid+3Atlanta Legal Aid+3

3. Can undocumented survivors get help?
Yes — through VLAN and its partner networks (e.g. GAIN) that specialize in immigration legal services for survivors of domestic violence, regardless of status. georgiavictimnetwork.org

4. How quickly can I get a protective order?
Courthouse-based services like the Safe Families Office (via AVLF) can help with same-day consultations and assist with filing Temporary Protective Orders when appropriate. georgiavictimnetwork.org+2AVLF+2
But full hearings and continued representation may take days or weeks, depending on court schedules.

5. What should I bring to my first meeting or intake?
Bring (if safe):

• Police or incident reports

• Medical or counseling records

• Photos of injuries

• Screenshots or records of abusive messages

• Witness names or contact info

• Identification or documents (if available)

• Housing documents, leases, bank statements etc.

6. What if I don’t qualify for free legal aid?
You may still be eligible for pro bono representation via volunteer programs (AVLF, Cobb Pro Bono, ALAS pro bono) or be matched via the Bar Association’s modest means program. Also, the VLAN network may assist in certain cases.

Conclusion

If you are a survivor of domestic violence in Atlanta or the metro area, you're not alone. There is a robust network of legal aid, pro bono, and victim support services ready to help you access protection, justice, and stability. Whether you need a protective order, help with divorce, custody, or immigration relief, reach out early — legal advocates stand ready to assist you safely and confidentially.