About VLAS

Our Story

Virginia Legal Aid Society (VLAS) is a nonprofit law firm established in 1977 to provide free civil legal services to eligible low-income residents in 20 counties and six cities in Central, Southside, and Western Tidewater Virginia. VLAS serves these communities by providing free information, advice, and representation in such areas as housing, healthcare, income and benefits, family issues, consumer, and education.

Our Mission

To resolve the serious legal problems of low-income people, promote economic and family stability, reduce poverty through effective legal assistance, and to champion equal justice.

Our Plan

In December 2022, the Board of Directors adopted a strategic plan that will guide services from 2023-2027. The plan has four goals: meeting the critical legal needs of the low-income population in south-central Virginia, increasing our effectiveness, increasing community engagement, and increasing funding.

Cases We Handle


Housing Safety and Accessibility
(Landlord Disputes, Evictions, Public Housing, Mortgage Foreclosures, Hazardous Conditions, and more)

Health Care and Benefits
(Medicaid, Medicare, Health Insurance, Social Security Disability, SSI, Food Stamps (SNAP), and more)

Personal and Family Safety
(Permanent Protective Orders, Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Educational Rights of Children, Parental Rights, Simple Wills, General Powers of Attorney, Guardianship, and more)

Consumer Income and Assets
(Repossessions, Illegal or Unfair Sales Practices, Consumer Credit Violations, Car Title Lending, and more)