Lower Cost Lawyers From the Berks County Bar Association
The Berks County Bar Association's Modest Means Program matches people who earn too much to qualify for Legal Aid with a Berks County attorney who will represent them at a discounted rate. It is meant for people who are not served by the legal aid system and cannot readily afford a private lawyer. The lawyers on the referral panel must be licensed and actively practicing law in Berks County, in good standing with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and in compliance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct.
To qualify, your total income must exceed legal aid standards by 75%. The page notes those figures change as legal aid standards change, and it does not print the dollar amounts.
The program offers representation, contingent on an income screening, for these kinds of cases: - Unemployment Compensation Claims - Landlord-Tenant, on behalf of the Tenant, under a Residential Lease - Child Support - Child Custody - Defense of Credit Card and Collection Matters - Bankruptcy - Protection from Abuse (PFA) - Residential Lease/Rental Purchase (Rent-to-Own) Review - Defense of Residential Foreclosure Cases - Divorce (Uncontested) - Estate Planning - Traffic Violations
To start, contact MidPenn Legal Services for the income screening. MidPenn is at 35 N. 6th Street, Mezz. Suite 101, Reading, PA 19601, and the phone number is 1-800-326-9177. MidPenn also assigns attorneys at no fee to people who do qualify for legal aid, so calling that number for an appointment is the way to learn which of the two you fit.
The Berks County Bar Association is at 544 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601, and sees people by appointment. The phone number is 610-375-4591 and the email is info@berksbar.org. The association does not employ attorneys itself or give free legal advice; it matches you with an attorney who handles your kind of case.
The page does not say what the discounted rate is, how much you would pay, or what hours either office keeps, so ask when you call.
Source: berksbar.org, read September 18, 2026.
The details
In Berks County Bar Association’s words
If you're an individual who does not meet the eligibility requirements to qualify for Legal Aid, you may still be able to receive legal representation from an active and qualified Berks County attorney at a discounted rate through the Modest Means Program. The program seeks to serve a segment of the population in need of legal services that is neither serviced by the existing legal aid system or lawyers in private practice.
Organization
Berks County Bar Association
Organization profile in our directory →About this listing
This listing summarizes publicly available information from berksbar.org. Last recorded review: September 18, 2026. Contact the provider to confirm eligibility, hours and availability before you go. If something here is wrong, tell us.