Gulfcoast Legal Services, Inc. is a nonprofit legal aid organization dedicated to championing justice by enhancing access to the civil legal system for vulnerable populations across Florida’s Gulf Coast. Specializing in providing high-quality, comprehensive civil legal assistance, the firm stands out for its commitment to serving individuals who face barriers due to race, ethnicity, income, age, disability, gender, or sexual orientation.
The organization treats all clients with respect and dignity, offering sensitive, individualized support through Florida Bar licensed attorneys. Its approach prioritizes emergency cases such as domestic violence and urgent housing matters, ensuring timely and effective legal advocacy for those in critical need. GLS focuses on assisting low-income residents, survivors of abuse, immigrants, and tenants facing housing instability.
Services Offered
- Housing Advocacy (landlord/tenant disputes, eviction defense, habitability issues, security deposits, mortgage foreclosure defense, mortgage modification negotiations)
- Family Law (domestic violence protection orders, dissolution of marriage/divorce, child timesharing rights)
- Financial Stability (unfair and deceptive trade practices, car repossession issues, contract disputes, medical bill disputes, IRS correspondence assistance, income tax credit and deduction substantiation)
- Immigration & Human Trafficking (VAWA self-petitions for abused spouses and children, U visas for victims of criminal activity who assist law enforcement)
- Community Outreach and Education (workshops, events, and campaigns on legal rights and resources)
- Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations (working with local agencies and nonprofits to expand service access)
- Managing Special Legal Projects (addressing emerging legal challenges and unique population needs)
GLS serves clients across the Greater Tampa Bay area, including Manatee, Pinellas, Sarasota, Hillsborough, Desoto, Lee, and Charlotte counties, with services accessible in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Chinese. The organization operates through multiple offices and offers both online applications and in-person assistance.
