Free and Low Cost Legal and
Advocate Services
The New Jersey Department of Education
Office of Special Education
Revised September 2021
New Jersey Department of Education Office of Special Education
Free and Low Cost Legal and Advocate Services
2
Introduction
A variety of free and low-cost legal services and advocate services are available to assist
parent(s), guardians, and students with disabilities in resolving disputes with local education
agencies over the provision of special education services. This listing may not be an exhaustive
representation of all legal and advocate service options available throughout the state of New
Jersey. Inclusion on this listing does not constitute an endorsement by the New Jersey
Department of Education. The nature and extent of the services are determined by the
parent(s), guardians, student, and the agency or advocate. Please refer to the organization’s
website for further details and the appropriate means of contact.
Legal Services
Community Health Law Project
185 Valley Street
South Orange, NJ 07079
973-275-1175
917-275-1721 (TTY)
Website: chlp.org/home
Email: [email protected]
Community Health Law Project is a statewide not-for-profit advocacy and legal service
organization which provides legal representation and advocacy services, training, education,
and related activities to persons with disabilities, and chronic health conditions. There are five
direct service offices located in Neptune, Bloomfield, Trenton, Elizabeth, and Collingswood with
satellite offices located in Jersey City, Toms River, Mt. Holly, and Galloway.
Administrative Office
185 Valley Street
South Orange, NJ 07079
973-275-1175
973-275-1721 (TTY)
973-275-5210 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
North Jersey
650 Bloomfield Avenue, Suite 210
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
973-680-5599
973-680-1116 (TTY)
973-680-1488 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
East Jersey Main Office
65 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 402
908-355-8282
908-355-3369 (TTY)
908-355-3724 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
East Jersey Satellite Office
35 Journal Square, Suite 831
Jersey City, NJ 07306
201-630-6201
201-239-6365 (Fax)
Shore Area Main Office
3301 Route 66, Building C, Suite 130
Neptune, NJ 07753
732-380-1012
732-380-1015 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Shore Area Satellite Office
250 Washington Street, Suite 5
Toms River, NJ 08753
732-349-6714
732-349-6935 (Fax)
Central Jersey Main Office
225 East State Street, Suite 5
Trenton, NJ 08608
609-392-5553
609-392-5369 (TTY/Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Central Jersey Satellite Office
4 Commerce Place
Mt. Holly, NJ 08060
609-261-3453
609-261-8596 (Fax)
South Jersey Main Office
Station House Office Building
900 Haddon Avenue, Suite 400
Collingswood, NJ 08108
856-858-9500 (Phone/TTY)
856-858-9545 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
South Jersey Satellite Office
160 South Pitney Road
Galloway, NJ 08205
856-858-9500
Disability Rights of New Jersey
210 South Broad Street, 3
rd
Floor
Trenton, NJ 08608
800-922-7233 (in NJ only)
609-292-9742 (Voice)
609-633-7106 (TTY)
609-777-0187 (Fax)
Website: disabilityrightsnj.org
Email: [email protected]
Disability Rights of New Jersey is an independent agency which operates under a model of self-
advocacy. Disability Rights of New Jersey empowers parents and students with disabilities by
New Jersey Department of Education Office of Special Education
Free and Low Cost Legal and Advocate Services
4
providing advice to address concerns or obstacles with their school district under the
Individuals with Disabilities Act, Section 504, disciplinary concerns, and Harassment,
Intimidation and Bulling. Services provided include brief advice or consultation, resources,
sample forms and letters, and best practices for gathering information and documentation.
Disability Rights of New Jersey also offers webinars and recordings on common obstacles in
special education throughout the year. In some instances, Disability Rights of New Jersey may
offer representation during formal proceedings such as mediation, due process, complaint
investigations, and systemic litigation.
Education and Health Law Clinic
Rutgers Law School – Newark
123 Washington Street
Newark, NJ 07102
973-353-5561
Website: law.rutgers.edu/education-and-health-law-clinic
The Education and Health Law Clinic (EHLC) provides free legal representation to low-income
parents of students with disabilities in special education, early intervention, and school
discipline matters.
Education Law Center, Inc.
60 Park Place, Suite 300
Newark, NJ 07102
973-624-1815
973-624-7339 (Fax)
Website: edlawcenter.org
Email: [email protected]
The Education Law Center, Inc. (ELC) is a nonprofit organization specializing in improving school
funding equity and securing essential resources for all students. The Education Law Center
provides services to parents seeking legal assistance in the resolution of problems affecting the
education of poor children and students with disabilities. Due to limited capacity, legal
representation can only be provided to a small number of applicants.
New Jersey Department of Education Office of Special Education
Free and Low Cost Legal and Advocate Services
5
Legal Services of New Jersey
Statewide Coordinating Office
100 Metroplex Drive, Suite 402
PO Box 1357
Edison, NJ 08818-1357
732-572-9100
888-576-5529 (toll free)
Website: lsnj.org
Legal Services of New Jersey coordinates the statewide Legal Services system, which provides
free legal assistance to low-income New Jerseyans for their civil legal problems. New Jersey has
six Legal Services Program: 5 regional programs, which provide direct services to clients in all 21
counties through 23 local offices, and Legal Services of New Jersey, the statewide coordinating
office.
Statewide Coordinating Office
Statewide Coordinating Office
100 Metroplex Drive, Suite 402
PO Box 1357
Edison, NJ 08818-1357
732-572-9100
888-576-5529 (toll free)
Atlantic County – South Jersey Legal
Services
1300 Atlantic Avenue
Mezzanine Floor
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
609-348-4200
609-345-6919 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Bergen County – Northeast NJ Legal
Services
190 Moore Street, Suite 100
Hackensack, NJ 07601
201-487-2166
Email: [email protected]
Burlington County – South Jersey
Legal Services
107 High Street
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
609-261-1088
609-267-7812 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Camden County – South Jersey Legal
Services Administrative Offices
745 Market Street
Camden, NJ 08102
856-964-2010
856-338-9227 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Cape May County – South Jersey
Legal Services
1261 Route 9 South
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
609-465-3001
609-465-9018 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Cumberland County – South Jersey
Legal Services
415 W. Landis Avenue
2nd Floor
Vineland, NJ 08360
856-691-0494
856-691-5072 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Essex County – Newark Legal
Services
5 Commerce Street
2nd Floor
Newark, NJ 07102
973-624-4500
Email: [email protected]
Gloucester County – South Jersey
Legal Services
47 Newton Avenue
Woodbury, NJ 08096
856-848-5360
856-853-4259 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Hudson County – Northeast NJ Legal
Services
574 Summit Avenue
2nd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07306
201-792-6363
Email: [email protected]
Hunterdon County – Legal Services
of Northwest Jersey
82 Park Avenue
Flemington, NJ 08822
908-782-7979
908-782-9761 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Mercer County – Central Jersey Legal
Services
198 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
609-695-6249
609-392-7952 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Middlesex County – Central Jersey
Legal Services
317 George Street, Suite 201
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
732-249-7600
732-249-7966 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Middlesex County – Central Jersey
Legal Services
313 State Street, Suite 308
Perth Amboy, NJ 08861
732-324-1613
732-324-6253 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Monmouth County – South Jersey
Legal Services
303 West Main Street
3rd Floor
Freehold, NJ 07728
732-414-6750
732-414-6757 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Morris County – Legal Services of
Northwest Jersey
30 Schuyler Place
2nd Floor
PO Box 900
Morristown, NJ 07963
973-285-6911
973-605-8991 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Ocean County – South Jersey Legal
Services
215 Main Street
Toms River, NJ 08753
732-608-7794
732-608-9636 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Passaic County – Northeast NJ Legal
Services
152 Market Street
6th Floor
Paterson, NJ 07505
973-523-2900
Email: [email protected]
Salem County – South Jersey Legal
Services
415 W. Landis Avenue
2nd Floor
Vineland, NJ 08360
856-691-0494
856-691-5072 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Somerset County – Legal Services of
Northwest Jersey
90 East Main Street
3rd Floor
Somerville, NJ 08876
908-231-0840
908-231-6780 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Sussex County – Legal Services of
Northwest Jersey
18 Church Street, Suite 120
Newton, NJ 07860
973-383-7400
973-383-3469 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Union County – Central Jersey Legal
Services
60 Prince Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07208
908-354-4340
908-354-4361 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Warren County – Legal Services of Northwest Jersey
91 Front Street
Belvidere, NJ 07823-1437
908-475-2010
908-475-1719 (Fax)
Email: [email protected]
Ft. Dix Legal Assistance Office
Ft. Dix Judge Advocate General
5418 S. Scott Plaza
Ft. Dix, NJ 08641
609-562-3295
Website: statesidelegal.org/ft-dix-legal-assistance-office
Stateside Legal assists people with military experience by providing them with information and
resources to better understand and protect their rights.
New Jersey Department of Education Office of Special Education
Free and Low Cost Legal and Advocate Services
8
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
PO Box 32040
Newark, NJ 07102
973-645-1955
973-645-1954 (Fax)
Website: vljnj.org
Email: [email protected]
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Children’s Representation Program represents eligible parents
and guardians of children who have been denied special education services to which they are
entitled, represent children who are victims of harassment or bullying at school, or represent
children facing discipline issues.
Lawyer Referral Services
Following is a listing of county bar associations that offer lawyer referral services. Locate your
county of residence and contact the appropriate service.
Atlantic County Bar Association
1201 Bacharach Boulevard
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
609-345-3444
Website: atcobar.org
Bergen County Bar Association
15 Bergen Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601
201-488-0044
Website: bergenbar.org
Burlington County Bar Association
137 High Street, 3rd Floor
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
609-261-4862
609-261-4863
Website: burlcobar.org
Email: [email protected]
Camden County Bar Association
1702 Haddonfield-Berlin Road
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
856-482-0620 x113
856-482-0637 (Fax)
Website: camdencountybar.org
Cape May County Bar Association
9 North Main Street
Cape May Courthouse, NJ 08210
609-463-0313
Website: cmcba.org
Cumberland County Bar Association
PO Box 2374
Vineland, NJ 08362
856-696-5550
Website: ccnjbar.org
Email: [email protected]
Essex County Bar Association
470 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Newark, NJ 07102
973-622-6204
Website: essexbar.com
Email: in[email protected]
Gloucester County Bar Association
PO Box 338
Woodbury, NJ 08096
856-848-4589
Website: gcbanj.org
Email: [email protected]
Hudson County Bar Association
583 Newark Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07306
201-798-4708
Website: hcbalaw.com
Hunterdon County Bar Association
PO Box 573
Annandale, NJ 08801
908-200-7822
Website: huntcolaw.org
Email: [email protected]
Mercer County Bar Association
1245 White Horse Mercerville Road, Suite
420
Mercerville, NJ 08619
609-585-6200
Website: mercerbar.com
Middlesex County Bar Association
87 Bayard Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
732-828-0053 ext. 100
Website: mcbalaw.com
Email: [email protected]
Monmouth Bar Association
Monmouth County Court House
Freehold, NJ 07728
732-431-5544
Website: monmouthbarassociation.com
Morris County Bar Association
245 South Street
Morristown, NJ 07960
973-267-6089
Website: morriscountybar.com
Ocean County Bar Association
PO Box 381
Toms River, NJ 08754
732-240-3666
Website: oceancountybar.org
Passaic County Bar Association
401 Grand Street, 3rd Floor
Paterson, NJ 07505
973-345-4585
Website: passaicbar.org
Salem County Bar Association
856-935-5629
Website: salemcountybar.org
Email: [email protected]
Somerset County Bar Association
20 North Bridge Street HCH 325
Somerville, NJ 08876
908-685-2323
Website: somersetbar.com
Email: [email protected]
Sussex County Bar Association
61 Spring Street, 4th Floor
Newton, NJ 07860
973-383-3900
Website: sussexcountybar.com
Email: [email protected]
Union County Bar Association
2 Broad Street, 1st Floor
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
908-353-4715
Website: uclaw.com
Warren County Bar Association
413 Second Street
Belvidere, NJ 07823
908-387-1835
Website: warrencountybar.org
Email: [email protected]
Advocacy Services
Advancing Opportunities
1005 Whitehead Road Extension, Suite 1
Ewing, NJ 08638
609-882-4182
888-322-1918 (Toll Free)
609-882-4054 (Fax)
Website: advopps.org
Email: [email protected]
Advancing Opportunities, Inc., is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization providing services and
supports to people with disabilities and their families so they can live independently. Advancing
Opportunities provides a one-on-one individualized service to help parents navigate special
education by designing an advocacy campaign to meet the needs of the student to ensure a
free and appropriate education is provided. Services are available to families with children who
meet the criteria for developmentally or intellectually disabled, at no cost to families. To find
out if you child is eligible, contact the Department of Children and Families’ Children’s System
of Care, at 1-877-652-7624.
The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute
985 Livingston Avenue
North Brunswick, NJ 08902
732-246-2525
732-246-2526 (Family Advocacy and Advocacy Services)
New Jersey Department of Education Office of Special Education
Free and Low Cost Legal and Advocate Services
11
732-214-1834 (Fax)
Website: thearcfamilyinstitute.org
Email: [email protected]
The Arc of New Jersey is the state's largest organization advocating for and serving children and
adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The Arc of New Jersey
is an affiliated chapter of the national chapter of The Arc, and community-based services are
available statewide through our strong network of Local County Chapters. The Arc of New
Jersey Family Institute is happy to assist families with children who receive special education
and related services. They are able to provide information, education, and advocacy for families
who are experiencing difficulty with their child's school district. If you require help from a non-
attorney advocate regarding special education, visit their website and complete the form to
request an advocate.
Local County Chapters of The Arc
In all 21 counties in New Jersey, the Local County Chapters of The Arc work to help people with
intellectual and other developmental disabilities achieve their fullest potential. The wide range
of services offered span the lifetime of the person with a disability, and support both the
individual and their family.
The Arc of Atlantic County
6550 Delilah Road, Suite 101
Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 08234
609-485-0800
The Arc of Bergen County
223 Moore Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601
201-343-0322
The Arc of Burlington County
115 East Broad Street
Burlington, NJ 08016
(856) 764-9494
The Arc of Camden County
215 West White Horse Pike
Berlin, NJ 08009
(856) 767-3650
The Arc of Cape May County
922 Route 47 PO Box 255
South Dennis, NJ 08245
(609) 861-7100
The Arc of Cumberland County
1680 West Sherman Avenue
Vineland, NJ 08360
(856) 691-9138
The Arc of Essex County
123 Naylon Avenue
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-1181
The Arc of Gloucester County
1555 Gateway Blvd.
Woodbury, NJ 08096
(856) 848-8648
The Arc of Hudson County
3229 Bergenline Avenue Unit 3
Union City, NJ 07087
(201) 319-9229
The Arc of Hunterdon County
The Concourse at Beaver Brook
53 Frontage Rd, Suite 150
Hampton, NJ 08827
(908) 730-7827
The Arc of Mercer County
180 Ewingville Road
Ewing, NJ 08638
(609) 406-0181
The Arc of Middlesex County
219 Black Horse Lane
North Brunswick, NJ 08902
(732) 247-8155
The Arc of Monmouth County
1158 Wayside Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07712
(732) 493-1919
The Arc of Morris County
PO Box 123
Morris Plains, NJ 07950
(973) 326-9750
The Arc of Ocean County
815 Cedar Bridge Road
Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 363-3335
The Arc of Passaic County
223 Moore Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 343-0322
The Arc of Salem County
PO Box 5
150 Salem-Woodstown Road
Salem, NJ 08079
(856) 935-3600
The Arc of Somerset County
141 South Main Street
Manville, NJ 08835
(908) 725-8544
The Arc of Sussex County (SCARC)
11 US Route 206, Suite 100
Augusta, NJ 07822
(973) 383-7442
The Arc of Union County
70 Diamond Road
Springfield, NJ 07081
(973) 315-0000
The Arc of Warren County
319 West Washington Ave, Suite 2
Washington, NJ 07882
(908) 689-7525
New Jersey Department of Education Office of Special Education
Free and Low Cost Legal and Advocate Services
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Learning Disabilities Association of New Jersey (LDANJ)
614 Cranbury Road, Unit 6268
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
732-645-2738
Website: ldanj.org
Email: [email protected]
The Learning Disabilities Association of New Jersey (LDANJ) is the state affiliate of the Learning
Disabilities Association of America. LDANJ is a non-profit organization of volunteers dedicated
to providing information, support, and advocacy for children and adults with learning
disabilities.
Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN)
35 Halsey Street
4
th
Floor
Newark, NJ 07102
973-642-8100
800-654-7726
973-642-8080 (Fax)
Website: spanadvocacy.org
Email: [email protected]
SPAN receives numerous federal, state, and other grants and funding to run a variety of
programs and projects that support their vision and mission. Through the activities of these
programs, SPAN provides families and professionals with the resources and support they need
to ensure that their children become fully participating and contributing members of our
communities and society.
