GAYLAW’s Attorney Referral Service

As a free service to the community, GAYLAW maintains a list of its members who have indicated a willingness to receive referrals from individuals who have contacted GAYLAW seeking legal services. GAYLAW is not a law firm, has no staff attorneys, does not represent clients and does not provide legal advice.

The list is open to GAYLAW attorneys who have completed informational forms for the purpose of receiving referrals. In compiling the information contained in the list, GAYLAW relies exclusively on the application form completed by the attorneys and does not independently verify any information. From each listed attorney, GAYLAW receives an annual $50 listing fee to defray GAYLAW's cost of providing this list to the community. GAYLAW does not receive any referral or legal fees from attorneys or from individuals seeking a referral.

Any terms for taking a case or providing legal advice, including fees, are to be negotiated between an individual seeking a referral and the attorney to whom they are referred.

GAYLAW does not accept complaints regarding attorney conduct. Please direct any complaints regarding attorney conduct to the appropriate state bar grievance board:

Maryland: (410) 514-7051
Virginia: (866) 548-0873
District of Columbia: (202) 638-1501

Gaylaw Attorney Search:

If you are an individual seeking a referral, click below for the GAYLAW Attorney Search.

If you are searching for an attorney and have questions about this service, or if you are an attorney and have questions about the application process, please E-mail us at GAR@gaylaw.org.

Applications: “GAYLAW’s Attorney Referral (“GAR”) service is now new, improved, and even more user-friendly for both potential clients and attorney members. The new improved online user interface is easy for potential clients to navigate, and now attorneys have easy access for updating their information online.”

Other Referral Resources

Following is information on other sources of referrals to LGBTQ-sensitive attorneys and to organizations providing legal services to those with HIV/AIDS.

Local Legal Resources

Whitman-Walker Clinic — For persons with HIV/AIDS (202.797.3527)

Equality Virginia — Statewide gay and lesbian lobbying group in Virginia that maintains a list of gay and lesbian-sensitive attorneys around the state. (804.643.4816)

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network — Organization dedicated to protecting members of the armed services from being discharged on the basis of sexual orientation. (202.328.3244)

LawHelp.org/dc – Locate free legal services through one of the D.C. agencies representing people with housing, family law, consumer, benefits, immigration, probate matters and more.

Other Relevant Local Resources

Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League — An organization dedicated to supporting and enhancing the self-esteem of sexual minority youth — any youth (13 to 21) who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (GLBT), or who may be questioning their sexuality — and to increasing public awareness and understanding of their issues.

National Lesbian and Gay Law Association (NLGLA) - info@nlgla.org or (202.607.0732)

Other Legal and Referral Services Outside the DC/MD/VA Area

Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF) is a minority bar association in the San Francisco Bay area that was founded in 1980 and has a membership of nearly 600 lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgenders, and their supporters in the legal community, including judges, lawyers, legal workers and law students.
AIDS and emergencies (415.291.5454)
Gay and lesbian legal referral (415.621.3900)

Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia (GALLOP) — Referral Service (215.627.9090)

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago — Legal Referrals (773.404.9574)

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Greater New York (LEGAL) — Legal Referrals (212.459.4873)

New Jersey Lesbian & Gay Bar Association Legal Referrals (908.830.1005)

Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) Lawyer Referral Service for Boston and New England. (617.426.1350)

North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Attorneys (NC GALA) — Legal Referrals (919.956.5600)

GayLawNet (Australia) has an international directory of attorneys, including some in the United States.

Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund
The nation's oldest and largest legal organization working for the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, and people with HIV/AIDS.

ACLU's Lesbian & Gay Rights Project - A special division of the national ACLU, staffed by experts in constitutional law and civil rights making the case for fair and equal treatment regardless of sexual orientation.

National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR)
The nation's legal center with a primary commitment to advancing the rights and safety of lesbians and their families through a program of litigation, public policy advocacy, free legal advice and counseling, and public education.