What to Expect - Legal Services of Northern Virginia

You can apply for LSNV’s services at https://www.lsnv.org/get-help/how-do-i-apply/.
LSNV cannot assist every person who applies to us for services. We have restrictions based on our funding and ethical restrictions such as rules prohibiting conflicts of interest. You will need to do an intake to see if you qualify for our services.
For information about how to apply click HERE. https://www.lsnv.org/get-help/how-do-i-apply/

If you would like to communicate in a language other than English, LSNV provides free interpreters for applicants and clients, including sign language interpreters.

If you do not qualify for our services and you believe that decision was wrong, you can access our applicant grievance procedure HERE. Grievance Form

If you qualify for our services you will get a call from an LSNV staff attorney or a pro bono volunteer attorney or law student.

If you have paperwork that might relate to your case or legal issue, talk to the intake paralegal who processed your application about how you can get your documents to LSNV before your phone call with the attorney.

If you qualify for services with LSNV, a staff attorney or pro bono volunteer attorney will provide you with advice on your legal issue. LSNV provides advice to the majority of requests for assistance and oftentimes this can fully resolve a legal issue. LSNV is a nonprofit and does not have the resources to provide court representation to everyone who comes to us for help. If we are able to represent you in court, we will provide you with a representation agreement that explains what representation we will provide.

LSNV provides advice and court representation in limited cases in the Cities of Alexandria, Arlington, and the Counties of Fairfax, Prince William, and Loudoun. LSNV also provides advice in the Counties of Caroline, Culpeper, Essex, Fauquier, King and Queen, King George, King William, Lancaster, Madison, Northumberland, Orange, Rappahannock, Richmond, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Westmoreland, and the City of Fredericksburg. In these areas, LSNV does not provide court representation; however, where appropriate, LSNV will make referrals to Legal Aid Works who does provide limited court representation in those counties. You can see what services Legal Aid Works provides at legalaidworks.org

Your communication with an attorney from LSNV is confidential; however, we may need to release certain information to our grant providers. If you have any concerns about what information may be released, discuss this with the attorney assigned to speak with you.

LSNV will keep your file confidential for five years and after that it is destroyed. Let us know if you would like a copy of your paperwork.

If you are dissatisfied with the services that you have received, you can access our client grievance procedure HERE. Grievance Form

We believe our clients deserve respect. As such, we strive to always treat each client equitably and fairly, free from any type of bias during interactions with us on the phone, in person, or in writing. We commit to interacting with all our current and prospective clients in a manner consistent with the spirit and letter of our Values Statement that you can find HERE. Racial Justice Values Statement