Our mission
We protect rights, challenge injustice, and fight poverty through free legal advocacy for people and families.
Our vision
Everyone deserves dignity and justice. We envision a West Michigan where no one lacks suitable housing, personal safety, family stability, or other basic life needs for lack of a lawyer.
Our organization
We are a nonprofit law office. We deliver free legal help to 1) people who live in or near poverty, and 2) seniors. We help when civil (non-criminal) legal problems threaten our clients’ basic living needs, like food-security and income-security, housing, healthcare access, and safety from domestic violence. Here are the areas of law we cover.
Our 21-member Board of Directors, including local attorneys and members of our client communities, governs our organization. Our Administrative Team manages day-to-day activities. Our funding sources include federal, state, and local government grants, philanthropic foundation grants, and vital private donations from individuals, law firms, and businesses.
Our advocacy
Our staff attorneys and advocates, along with dozens of volunteer attorneys:
- represent people in court and administrative hearings, and in other cases that require the full scope of an attorney’s services
- provide brief legal advice and consultation to people
- present community education events, and
- produce materials explaining the law
Our clients
- facing evictions and foreclosures
- seeking safety from domestic violence
- trying to access benefits that deliver basic income, healthcare, and food security, and
- many others facing civil legal problems that threaten basic needs or personal safety
How can we help you?
- Apply for legal help
- Learn about volunteering or donating
- Media and other inquiries: contact Steve Grumm, Director of Community Engagement, by email or at 616-608-8061