Office of Business Opportunity
Free Legal Help for Small Businesses
Running a business often comes with legal questions. The Houston Small Business Legal Consultations (HSBLC) program connects small business owners, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits with volunteer attorneys who can answer those questions — at no cost.
What you get
A one-time consultation (usually for up to an hour) with a volunteer attorney. They’ll look at your question, give you a clear answer, and lay out the next practical steps you can take on your own. This is free, one-time legal advice — not ongoing representation, and not an attorney who takes over your case.
Who can use this program
The program is built for small and emerging businesses whose owners couldn’t easily afford a lawyer for these questions. In general, you may qualify if:
- You’re a small business, self-employed entrepreneur, or nonprofit — or you’re planning to start one
- Your business is based in Texas (the greater Houston area is our main focus)
- Your question is not about a lawsuit, a court case, or a dispute with another party
A few business types aren’t eligible — for example, multi-level-marketing or direct-sales companies, and businesses that hold or manage other people’s money. When you fill out the request form, we’ll ask a few quick questions about your business size and household income to confirm you qualify, so there’s nothing you need to figure out ahead of time.
What we can help with
- Starting and structuring your business
- Contracts
- Commercial leases
- Employment questions
- Tax questions (not lawsuits)
- Trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property
- General business legal questions
- Understanding financial assistance programs
What we can’t help with
- Lawsuits — current, pending, or threatened
- Disputes between parties, or anything already headed to court
- Going to court on your behalf
- Criminal matters
- Personal legal issues unrelated to your business
- Ongoing legal representation
If your issue involves a lawsuit or a dispute already in court, the Houston Lawyer Referral Service (hlrs.org) or the Houston Bar Association can help you find an attorney.
How to request help
1. Fill out the online request form:
https://houstonobo.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_035WC5p8xygXAN0
Once you submit it, you’ll get a confirmation email with a confirmation number.
2. Send any related documents, if you have them.
Email contracts, notices, leases, or letters to obolegalservices@houstontx.gov and put your confirmation number in the subject line — for example, “HSBLC Documents – Confirmation #12345.” We can’t review documents without a confirmation number.
What Happens Next?
- We review your request to make sure it’s a fit for the program.
- If it’s fit, we share it with our volunteer legal partners.
- If you’re matched, a volunteer attorney will reach out to you directly.
- We can’t match every request depending on attorney’s availability.
Please note:
This program offers a one-time consultation only. It can’t guarantee that you’ll be matched with an attorney or represented.
Contact OBO
611 Walker Street, Seventh Floor
Houston, TX 77002
OBO Director
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