Legal Aid and Pro Bono Services for Domestic Violence in Washington, D.C.

If you are experiencing domestic violence in Washington, D.C., you may need legal assistance with getting a Civil Protection Order (CPO), custody or divorce related to abuse, child support, or immigration issues. The District has several legal aid, pro bono, and court-based services dedicated to survivors of domestic violence. This guide outlines the key providers, what they do, and how to safely access them.

Key Legal Aid & Pro Bono Providers in D.C.

1. Legal Aid DC – Family Law & Domestic Violence Unit

Website: legalaiddc.org Legal Aid DC+1
Services:

• Representation for civil protection orders (CPOs) and temporary protection orders in D.C. courts. Legal Aid DC+1

• Family law support: custody, divorce, child support for survivors. Legal Aid DC+1

• Legal Intake Centers at the Domestic Violence Intake Centers in NW and SE D.C. to provide same-day assistance. Legal Aid DC+2Legal Aid DC+2

• Services for persons with income up to ~200% of the Federal Poverty Level (and in some cases up to 300%) Legal Aid DC+1

How to Reach / Intake:

• Online or by phone: 202-628-1161 Legal Aid DC

• At D.C. Superior Court Domestic Violence Intake Center (Room 4550, 500 Indiana Ave NW) or Anacostia Professional Building (Room 400) D.C. Courts+4Legal Aid DC+4D.C. Courts+4

• Courthouse hours: Monday through Friday, typically starting in the morning Legal Aid DC+3Legal Aid DC+3D.C. Courts+3

2. Volunteer Legal Advocates (formerly DC Volunteer Lawyers Project / DCVLP)

Website: dcvlp.org Volunteer Legal Advocates+2Volunteer Legal Advocates+2
Services:

• Pro bono legal representation to domestic violence survivors, including Civil Protection Orders (CPOs) and “stay-away” orders. Volunteer Legal Advocates+3Volunteer Legal Advocates+3Volunteer Legal Advocates+3

• Longer-term family law cases: custody, divorce, support matters. Volunteer Legal Advocates+2Volunteer Legal Advocates+2

• Walk-in and remote legal clinics (in-person and virtual) for survivors and caregivers. Volunteer Legal Advocates

• Training and supervision: they provide volunteer attorneys with resources, mentoring, and liability coverage. Volunteer Legal Advocates+1

Intake & Contact:

• Call their intake line at (202) 425-7573. Volunteer Legal Advocates+2OVSJG+2

• Email: clinic@dcvlp.org for legal clinic access. OVSJG+1

• Their clinics operate Monday through Friday. OVSJG+1

3. DC Bar Pro Bono Center / Family Law Assistance Network (FLAN)

Website / Info: dcbar.org DC Bar
Services:

• Legal advice, limited representation, and referrals in custody, child support, parentage, and divorce matters. DC Bar

• Income eligibility: up to 200% of Federal Poverty Level for many clients. DC Bar

• Intake and triage: (202) 844-5428, open M–F between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. DC Bar

• In-person presence in the courthouse (Courtroom 105) to meet with clients. DC Bar

Note: FLAN is especially useful for family law matters tied to abuse, even if not exclusively domestic violence matters.

4. Neighborhood Legal Services Program (NLSP)

Website: nlsp.org NLSP
Services:

• Provides free civil legal assistance to low-income D.C. residents. NLSP

• Covers family law, including domestic violence–related matters when eligible. (As part of general civil legal services) NLSP

5. Catholic Charities Legal Network

Website: catholiccharitiesdc.org/legal-network Catholic Charities DC
Services:

• Civil pro bono legal services, including family law and domestic violence (DV) cases. Catholic Charities DC

• Referrals and access to volunteer attorneys for low-income residents (≤ 250% of federal poverty guidelines) Catholic Charities DC

• They serve D.C. and adjacent Maryland areas. Catholic Charities DC

6. District of Columbia Office of the Attorney General – Domestic Violence & Special Victims Section

Website / Info: oag.dc.gov DC Attorney General
Services:

• Represents survivors in obtaining Civil Protection Orders (CPOs), as well as prosecuting violations of CPOs. DC Attorney General

• Represents petitioners seeking Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) (removal of firearms) when abuser poses risk. DC Attorney General

• Staffs the Domestic Violence Intake Center in partnership with courts and DV programs. D.C. Courts+2DC Attorney General+2

7. Other Support / Legal Clinics & Referral Services

• Domestic Violence Legal Service Providers & Call-in Clinics: Offers daily phone-in clinics for immigrant survivors of DV, stalking, or sexual assault, to get help with CPOs, family law, victim rights. Call (202) 387-4848. OVSJG

• Bread for the City: Provides legal advice and representation in family law and DV-related matters as part of its advocacy program. Wikipedia

• Court Self-Help & Navigator Services: D.C. courts offer Self-Help Centers and Court Navigators who can assist with forms, procedure, and referrals. D.C. Courts

• DC SAFE / D.C. Victim Hotline: Advocates who assist with drafting, filing, and connecting survivors to legal, social, and protective services. Hotlines: 1-844-4HELPDC or 1-844-443-5732. Legal Aid DC+2D.C. Courts+2

How to Safely Access Legal Help in D.C.

1. Use a private device or incognito mode if your abuser monitors internet activity.

2. Call from a safe phone (not accessible to your abuser) or ask if the organization can call you back.

3. Ask about virtual / remote intake to avoid unsafe in-person visits.

4. Bring or upload evidence safely: photos, messages, police reports—prefer encrypted or password-protected files.

5. Delete browser history or search logs after using legal resource sites.

6. Visit during safer hours / with a trusted person if going in person; consider neutral meeting locations.

7. At the courthouse, use the Domestic Violence Intake Centers; these are set up to help survivors file protection orders. Legal Aid DC+2D.C. Courts+2

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is a Civil Protection Order (CPO), and how is it different from a Temporary Protection Order?
A CPO is the formal restraining order obtained after a hearing in D.C. Superior Court. A Temporary Protection Order (TPO) can be issued the same day when someone files a petition and the judge finds immediate danger. The TPO remains in effect until the formal hearing. OVSJG+3Legal Aid DC+3Legal Aid DC+3

2. Who can file for a protection order in D.C.?
Survivors who have certain relationships with the abuser (current/former spouse or intimate partner, people who share a child, people who lived together within the last year) can petition for a CPO. Survivors of sexual assault, stalking, or trafficking may petition even without those relationships. Legal Aid DC

3. How long does a Temporary Protection Order last?
Usually, a TPO lasts 14 days, until the court hearing for the full CPO. Legal Aid DC

4. Can legal aid help with custody, divorce, or child support when abuse is involved?
Yes. Legal Aid DC and Volunteer Legal Advocates take domestic violence–related family law cases including custody, divorce, child support where abuse is a factor. Legal Aid DC+3Legal Aid DC+3Volunteer Legal Advocates+3

5. Can undocumented or immigrant survivors get help?
Yes. Some legal aid and DV clinics (e.g. DV Legal Service Providers & Call-in Clinics) explicitly assist immigrant survivors with CPOs, family law, and victim rights. OVSJG

6. What documents should I bring to my first legal meeting or intake?
Bring (if safe) any of the following: police reports, medical records, photographs of injuries, text messages or emails, witness contacts, identification (if available), prior court orders, and any documentation of shared residence or children.

Conclusion

If you are a survivor of domestic violence in Washington, D.C., legal help is available. From emergency protective orders to long-term family law representation and pro bono advocacy, the organizations above are dedicated to supporting survivors with safe, confidential, and trauma-informed legal services. You don’t have to face this alone — reach out early and prioritize your safety.