Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley - VA

Six Decades of Free Civil Legal Representation in Roanoke

Celebrating sixty years of service to the community, the Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley has served as an essential pillar of justice since its founding in 1966. As Virginia first staff-model legal aid program licensed by the Virginia State Bar, the non-profit organization provides comprehensive civil legal counsel to low-income residents living in the cities of Roanoke and Salem, as well as Bedford, Botetourt, Craig, and Franklin counties. Dedicated staff attorneys handle over one thousand cases annually, removing the financial obstacles that prevent impoverished families from navigating the judicial system. For vulnerable individuals who need to find a lawyer capable of safeguarding their basic life necessities without imposing unaffordable fees, the society offers indispensable legal protection.

Protection for Abuse Survivors and Family Law Assistance

The practice area of family relations represents one of the organization most vital focuses. Staff attorneys work diligently as domestic violence lawyers, divorce and family law lawyers, child custody lawyers, and child support lawyers. When family safety is threatened by intimate partner abuse, victims need to hire an attorney urgently to secure emergency preliminary and permanent protective orders. The legal team also assists clients with contested custody matters, establishing stable living environments for children, securing critical support payments, and resolving uncontested divorce actions that permit abuse survivors to rebuild their lives with independence and dignity.

Tenant Rights, Eviction Defense, and Fair Housing Advocacy

Maintaining stable housing is critical to preventing homelessness among low-income households. Serving in the role of residential real estate lawyers for vulnerable tenants, the organization aggressively defends individuals facing unlawful detainer actions and unfair lease terminations. Legal staff assist tenants dealing with illegal lockouts, utility terminations, unaddressed maintenance violations, and retained security deposits. By challenging procedural defects and negotiating with landlords, attorneys help keep families stably housed while enforcing state and federal fair housing protections across the greater Roanoke Valley.

• Emergency protective order representation and safety advocacy for domestic violence survivors
• Defense against unlawful evictions, illegal lockouts, and substandard housing conditions
• Custody petitions, parental visitation arrangements, and child support enforcement
• Defense against predatory collection lawsuits, illegal garnishments, and public benefits denials

Workers' Rights, Employment Law, and Consumer Debt Defense

The society further assists workers and consumers facing economic injustice. Legal counsel operates across employment law matters, functioning as employment and labor lawyers, workplace discrimination lawyers, harassment lawyers, and wage and hour lawyers. When low-wage workers encounter unlawful wage deductions, unpaid overtime, or retaliatory termination, the legal staff advocates for their earned pay and civil workplace protections. Additionally, attorneys serve as debt relief lawyers, defending low-income consumers against abusive debt collectors, predatory loan companies, and wrongful asset garnishments. Working collaboratively with sister organizations, the society offers bilingual services in English and Spanish to ensure language access for all eligible clients. If you or a family member need an attorney to protect your civil rights, contacting the Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley begins the confidential intake process to determine eligibility for free legal aid.