Employment contracts, non-compete clauses, licensing board complaints, malpractice, HIPAA, and private-practice formation. We'll help you figure out what kind of help you need and how to find someone qualified in your state.
SocialWorkU doesn't practice law. What we do is help you figure out which kind of lawyer you actually need, what a reasonable scope of work looks like, and how to avoid paying for advice you don't need.
Most social workers only need a flat-fee contract review or a one-hour consultation — not a full retainer. Knowing that up front can save you thousands.
Different problems need different attorneys. Start here to narrow it down.
Offer letters, non-compete clauses, non-solicit agreements, severance, and separation agreements. An employment lawyer can redline the contract before you sign and flag enforcement risk if you're already bound.
If your state licensing board opens an investigation — even from a small complaint — you want a license-defense attorney, not a general practitioner. The stakes are your ability to practice.
Professional liability claims are usually handled by the lawyer assigned through your malpractice insurance. If you don't have malpractice coverage, stop reading and get some — it's the most important insurance a clinician carries.
Subpoenas for clinical records, release-of-information disputes, records requests in custody cases, and HIPAA questions. A healthcare or privacy-focused attorney can draft a compliant response without breaching confidentiality.
Unpaid wages, overtime, denied PTO, wrongful termination, retaliation, discrimination, and harassment. Many employment lawyers take these on contingency — meaning you pay nothing up front.
LLC/PLLC setup, operating agreements, informed-consent forms, client agreements, contractor vs. employee classification, and group-practice partnership structures. A small-business attorney (and often a CPA) is the right combo.
Pick your state and the type of issue. We'll tell you the best next steps and where to find vetted referrals.
These aren't SocialWorkU — they're established referral networks and professional organizations that maintain vetted attorney lists.
Every state bar runs a referral service that matches you with a vetted attorney in your area. Initial consults are usually free or low-cost ($25–$50 for a 30-minute consultation).
Find your state bar →The National Association of Social Workers and state NASW chapters maintain legal consultation resources and, in some cases, a Legal Defense Fund for practice-related issues. Membership benefits vary by chapter.
Visit NASW →If you carry professional liability insurance (and you should), most carriers include access to a legal hotline — free consultation on clinical-legal questions, subpoenas, and board complaints. Check your policy.
Look up your state →For employment issues at a hospital or agency, your HR department or union (if unionized) may have first-line resources. This is not a substitute for your own attorney when the dispute is with the employer.
See when this applies →Many law schools run free or low-cost legal clinics covering employment, healthcare, small business, and community issues. Eligibility varies, but they're an underused resource for early-career clinicians.
ABA free help directory →If you qualify by income, state legal aid organizations handle employment and civil matters at no cost. The Legal Services Corporation maintains a national directory.
Find legal aid →We're building a vetted attorney network for licensed social workers — employment lawyers, license-defense attorneys, healthcare privacy counsel, and small-business lawyers who understand how clinical practice actually works.
If that's you, we'd like to hear from you. We're particularly looking for attorneys in states with high social work employment (CA, NY, TX, FL, PA, IL, NJ, MA) and in states with active non-compete or licensing board activity.
Apply to join the networkThis page is built by SocialWorkU as an educational resource to help you find qualified legal help. SocialWorkU is not a law firm, does not provide legal advice, and does not guarantee any particular outcome. Listed referral services and resources are independent organizations — inclusion here is not an endorsement, and availability and eligibility vary by state. Always verify an attorney's license status with your state bar before engaging.