Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Free Legal Services for Northern Nevada Residents
Northern Nevada Legal Aid has been a cornerstone of legal advocacy for over 60 years, dedicated to ensuring equitable access to justice for Northern Nevada's most vulnerable populations. Founded in 1965, our organization specializes in providing free and low-cost civil legal services to individuals who cannot afford traditional legal representation. Our team of seasoned attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants brings decades of collective experience in addressing complex legal challenges across housing, immigration, domestic violence, child advocacy, and senior rights.As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, we maintain strict adherence to ethical standards while leveraging strategic partnerships with local legal professionals and community organizations to amplify our impact. Our commitment to transparency and accountability is reflected in our rigorous case management processes and annual reporting of client outcomes, including the successful resolution of over 10,500 legal matters in 2022 alone.
Services
Housing Assistance
Immigration Services
Domestic Violence Legal Aid
Child Advocacy
Senior Legal Services
Civil Law Self-Help
Adult Guardianship
Pro Bono Referrals
Legal Education Workshops
Eviction Defense
Details
- Year established: 1965
Highlights and features
- We have over 60 years of experience in civil legal aid services.
- Our team includes specialized attorneys in housing, immigration, and family law.
- We serve 11 Northern Nevada counties with localized legal expertise.
- We maintain a 98% client satisfaction rate in annual service evaluations.
- Our organization partners with 15+ local legal and community organizations.
Associations and certifications
- 501(c)3
Services
Housing Assistance
Our housing attorneys specialize in eviction prevention, landlord-tenant disputes, and housing discrimination cases. We provide legal representation for low-income residents facing foreclosure or eviction, while also offering educational resources on tenant rights. Our team has successfully resolved over 2,000 housing cases annually, focusing on maintaining housing stability for vulnerable populations.
Senior Legal Services
The Senior Legal Center addresses critical issues affecting Nevada residents aged 60+. Our services include estate planning, Social Security/Medicare assistance, and protection against financial elder abuse. With dedicated attorneys and bilingual staff, we provide both direct representation and self-help resources, having assisted over 1,300 seniors in 2022 through in-person consultations at the Washoe County Senior Center.
Immigration Services
Our accredited immigration specialists handle citizenship applications, green card petitions, and special protections for victims of crime or domestic violence. We offer affordable legal services for SIJ petitions, T/U visas, and Violence Against Women Act cases. The program combines direct legal representation with community education initiatives to support Northern Nevada's growing immigrant population.
Domestic Violence Legal Aid
This program provides free legal representation for domestic violence survivors in protection order proceedings, divorce cases, and custody matters. Our specialized attorneys work closely with local shelters and social services to create comprehensive safety plans. The service includes immediate legal intervention without income screening, maintaining a 24/7 availability for emergency cases.
Civil Law Self-Help Center
Located in Reno Justice Court, our Self-Help Center assists individuals navigating legal processes without representation. We provide document preparation assistance for family law, small claims, and housing issues while offering guidance on court procedures. The center maintains extended hours Monday-Friday and provides bilingual support for Spanish-speaking clients seeking to complete legal forms independently.
People
Dave Spitzer
Executive Director
Dave Spitzer leads Northern Nevada Legal Aid with 25+ years of legal aid experience, overseeing strategic operations and community partnerships while maintaining active involvement in policy advocacy at the state level.
Melissa Jimenez
Sr. Intake Specialist
Melissa Jimenez manages client intake operations with a focus on trauma-informed service delivery, bringing 15 years of experience in connecting vulnerable populations with critical legal resources.
Jeff Briggs
Child Advocacy Supervising Attorney
Jeff Briggs supervises child advocacy attorneys representing over 250 foster children annually, ensuring compliance with Nevada's dependency laws while mentoring junior attorneys in best practices for youth advocacy.
Kris Moe
Adult Guardianship Attorney
Kris Moe specializes in adult guardianship proceedings, having represented 1,258 protected persons in 2022 while developing training programs for legal professionals on Nevada's guardianship statutes.
Elena Butko
Bilingual Self-Help Managing Attorney
Elena Butko oversees the Self-Help Center's operations, implementing bilingual service improvements that increased Spanish-speaking client access by 40% since 2020 while managing court form digitization initiatives.
Questions
What income level qualifies for free legal services?
Eligibility is based on federal poverty guidelines - generally 200% of poverty level or below, with adjustments for household size and special circumstances.
Can you help with landlord-tenant disputes?
Yes, our housing attorneys assist with eviction defense, security deposit disputes, habitability issues, and understanding Nevada tenant rights in both English and Spanish.
Do you offer immigration services for undocumented individuals?
We provide immigration legal services for all individuals regardless of status, including U visa applications for crime victims and asylum seeker support.
Are there volunteer opportunities for legal professionals?
Yes, we offer pro bono opportunities in various practice areas, including case referrals, legal clinics, and specialized project-based volunteering for licensed attorneys.
What documents should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring government ID, income documentation, relevant legal notices, and any existing court documents. Our staff can help identify required materials during intake scheduling.
