PRO BONO LEGAL RESOURCES

Legal aid to the poor and disenfranchised in Oakland County underwent a change of unprecedented magnitude in 2003. Legal Services Corporation, the federally mandated agency responsible for funding legal aid for the low income and underrepresented, underwent a massive nationwide reorganization, accompanied by drastic funding reductions.

As a result, the Oakland County Bar Association became integrally involved in this crisis since our mission includes “ensuring the delivery of quality legal services to the public.” In this role, the OCBA is working with all of the current legal aid providers in Oakland County to ensure that the needs of our at risk Oakland County citizenry are met.

If you need an attorney but cannot afford to pay for one yourself, you need pro bono services and direct legal representation. Please call one of the following:

Direct Legal Representation

Legal Aid and Defender
Legal Aid and Defender provides legal assistance in all non-family law matters including housing, bankruptcy, consumer protection, elder law, etc. There is an income requirement to be eligible for services.

Contact: TOLL FREE (877) 964-4700

www.ladadetroit.org

Family Law Assistance Project (FLAP)
A collaboration of Lakeshore Legal Aid and Cooley Law School provides legal assistance in all family law matters including divorce, custody, parenting time, paternity, child support, guardianship and domestic violence.  FLAP provides services at clinics hosted at the Adams-Pratt Oakland County Law Library every other Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

For additional information, as well as upcoming clinic dates please go to:  www.oakgov.com/lawlib/news/lakeshore.html

Additionally, the Family Law Assistance Program offers assisted pro se clinics where trained staff pre-screen clients for eligibility and schedule appointments. For more information regarding assisted pro se clinics, please contact (248) 335-0125. 

University of Detroit’s Mobile Law Office
The Mobile Law Office provides legal assistance in elder law, immigration, and veteran matters. All other areas of need are referred to appropriate providers. There is no income requirement to receive services.

The Mobile Law Office visits the Adams-Pratt Oakland County Law Library every other Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Registration before 12:30 p.m. is required.

Contact: David Koelsch at (313) 596-9805 for the Mobile Law Office’s scheduled visits at local Oakland County non profits.

www.law.udmercy.edu/about/mlo/index.php

Counsel and Advocacy Law Line (CALL)
CALL provides legal aid in the area of elder law exclusively. There is no income requirement for service.

Contact: TOLL FREE (888) 783-8190
(248) 569-9658

Christian Legal Aid Clinics
Christian Legal Aid holds clinics every Tuesday afternoon from 12:00 to 2:00 for any legal matter. There is no income requirement and no appointment is necessary.

Please call (248) 269-2027 for more information.

Location:
St. Vincent de Paul
46408 Woodward
Pontiac, Michigan 48342
www.clsnet.org

Common Ground Sanctuary
The Common Ground Sanctuary offers legal clinics where free consultations and informed recommendations without direct representation are provided by licensed attorneys for any legal matter on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Consultations are seen on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis.

Please call (800) 231-1127 for additional information.

Location:
Common Ground Sanctuary
1410 South Telegraph
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
www.commongroundsanctuary.org/programs2.html#legal


Legal Aid and Defender
The Legal Aid and Defender Association (LAD) is a nonprofit, charitable organization with a mission to provide comprehensive, aggressive legal advocacy and representation for residents of metropolitan Detroit. LAD holds clinics in Ferndale, Southfield and Pontiac on a rotating basis for any legal matter. There is an income requirement.

Please call (248) 253-1548, ext. 4005 for the schedule and location information.

www.ladadetroit.org

Southfield Legal Clinics
The Southfield Legal Clinic holds clinics every Tuesday evening for any legal matter. There is no income requirement but you must be an Oakland County resident.

Please call (248) 796-4540 to schedule an appointment.

Location:
26080 Berg Road
Southfield, MI 48033
www.cityofsouthfield.com

The Salvation Army William Booth Legal Aid Clinic
The mission of The Salvation Army William Booth Legal Aid Clinic is to improve and facilitate the administration of justice in the community. The Clinic provides general counsel and advice in the following areas: Consumer Debt, Landlord/Tenant, Juvenile/ Guardianship, Immigration, Wills, Public Benefits and General Advocacy.

Please call (313) 361-6340 for prescreening to determine eligibility and to schedule an appointment at the Pontiac location.

Location:
The Salvation Army
Pontiac Corps
34 Oakland
Pontiac, MI 48342

Thomas M. Cooley Law School Estate Planning Clinic
The Estate Planning Clinic is staffed by Thomas M. Cooley law students. Student interns are supervised by attorneys and are authorized to practice law with supervision. Estate planning clinic interns interview and counsel clients, draft wills, durable powers of attorney, and powers of attorney for health care. The clinic accepts applicants from Oakland County residents who are over the age of 60, with an estate valued at a maximum of $150,000 without a home or $250,000 including the value of a home.

Location:
Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Auburn Hills Campus
2630 Featherstone Road
Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326
Lindsay E. Citrin (248) 751-7800 ext. 7724
epc@cooley.edu

Attachments:

FLAP Clinic Schedule