1. Statewide Legal Aid Organizations
- Michigan Legal Help Program
- Central hub for legal guides, forms, and referrals.
- Website: michiganlegalhelp.org
- Legal Services of South Central Michigan (LSSCM)
- Serves 13 counties (Ann Arbor, Jackson, Lansing).
- Website: lsscm.org
- Phone: 1-877-678-6564
- Legal Aid of Western Michigan (LAWM)
- Covers 17 counties in western Michigan (Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Muskegon).
- Website: lawestmi.org
- Phone: 1-888-783-8190
- Lakeshore Legal Aid
- Serves metro Detroit and eastern Michigan (Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair counties).
- Website: lakeshorelegalaid.org
- Phone: 1-844-900-1311
- Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP)
- Coordinates legal aid programs statewide (housing, immigration, domestic violence).
- Website: michiganadvocacy.org
2. Regional Legal Aid Providers
- Legal Services of Northern Michigan (LSNM)
- Covers 33 counties in northern Michigan (Traverse City, Marquette, Alpena).
- Website: lsnm.org
- Phone: 1-800-968-0738
- Wayne Metro Legal Services
- Focuses on Wayne County (Detroit, housing, family law).
- Website: waynemetro.org/legal
- Phone: 1-313-388-9799
- Legal Aid and Defender Association (LAD)
- Serves Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties (criminal defense, eviction, family law).
- Website: ladadetroit.org
- Phone: 1-313-967-5555
3. Directories & Search Tools
- Michigan Legal Help Self-Guided Tool
- Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Directory
- Federally funded programs in Michigan: lsc.gov/find-legal-aid.
- State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service
- Low-cost consultations: michbar.org/public-resources.
- Michigan Courts Self-Help Center
- Forms and guides: courts.michigan.gov/self-help.
4. Hotlines
- Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-866-864-2338 (Michigan Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence).
- Elder Law Hotline: 1-800-347-5297 (for residents 60+).
- Disability Rights Michigan: 1-800-288-5923 (advocacy for individuals with disabilities).
- Veterans’ Legal Aid: Contact Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency: 1-800-MICH-VET (1-800-642-4838).
5. Additional Resources
- 211 Michigan: Dial 211 or visit mi211.org for community referrals.
- Pro Bono Programs:
- Michigan State Bar Pro Bono: michbar.org/probono.
- Detroit Bar Association Pro Bono: detroitlawyer.org.
- Immigration Legal Aid:
- Michigan Immigrant Rights Center: michiganimmigrant.org.
- Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan: ccsem.org.
- Native American Legal Services:
- Native American Rights Fund (NARF): narf.org.
- Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Legal Department: saulttribe.com.
- Self-Help Centers:
- Wayne County Self-Help Center (Detroit): 3rdcc.org.
- Kent County Legal Assistance Center (Grand Rapids): kentcountylegalassistance.org.
- Law School Clinics:
- University of Michigan Law Clinics: law.umich.edu/clinics.
- Michigan State University College of Law Clinics: law.msu.edu/clinics.
Note
- Eligibility: Most programs prioritize low-income residents (under 200% of the federal poverty level) and specific case types (e.g., eviction, domestic violence, disability rights).
- Apply Online: Many organizations (e.g., Lakeshore Legal Aid, LAWM) offer online intake forms.
- Urgent Issues: For emergencies (evictions, restraining orders), contact hotlines or visit courthouse self-help centers.
- Tribal Members: Contact local tribal offices (e.g., Bay Mills Indian Community, Grand Traverse Band) or NARF for advocacy.