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Overview
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) offers free civil legal help to low-income Texans who wouldn't otherwise be able to secure legal representation. Originally incorporated in 1951 as Fort Worth Legal Foundation, LANWT is a nonprofit legal aid organization based in Fort Worth, Texas.  One of three LSC-funded legal aid programs in Texas (along with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid and Lone Star Legal Aid), we are the fifth-largest legal aid program in the United States. We serve low-income residents in 114 counties in North and West Texas, with offices located in Abilene, Amarillo, Brownwood, Dallas, Denton, Fort Worth, Lubbock, McKinney, Midland, Odessa, Plainview, San Angelo, Waxahachie, Weatherford, and Wichita Falls. 

 

Our Mission
It is the mission of Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas to ensure equal justice for low-income people through the provision of high-quality legal representation and to improve the lives of low-income Texans through the rule of law.

 

Our History
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas has a long history of serving the community. Our first office, in Fort Worth, was founded in 1951 by the Tarrant County Bar Association. The Dallas office was established in 1966. LANWT has operated under several different names as we've grown over the years, and adopted the Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas name in 2003 through the merger of Legal Services of North Texas and West Texas Legal Services.

 

LANWT Today
Today, we employ more than 150 attorneys, supported by a staff of more than 100 paralegals, social workers, secretaries, receptionists, and support staff. An additional team of part-time attorneys staff a statewide legal hotline to help broaden our ability to assist those in rural areas.

 

Who We Serve
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas provides access to legal representation to those clients who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford the services of a private attorney. ​We primarily represent clients with income up to 125% of the U.S. poverty guidelines, although in certain cases we are able to help those with incomes of up to 200% of the poverty guidelines. Our clients come from all sectors of the community and all walks of life. They are veterans, victims of violence, and homeless persons. They are hard-working minimum wage earners, retirees on fixed incomes, grandparents, and single parents.

 

Practice Areas
We are able to represent clients in any type of civil matter. However, our practice focuses on:

  • Support for Families
  • Preserving the Home
  • Maintaining Economic Stability
  • Safety, Stability, and Health
  • Individuals with Special Needs
  • Problems Affecting Groups of Individuals

 

Funding
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas is funded by several organizations and through foundation grants, most notably the Legal Services Corporation and the Texas Access to Justice Foundation.