Below are a sample of organizations in our community that practice in areas of public interest law. In addition to the links provided below, you can check out the Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association website for a further listing of Milwaukee area pro bono opportunities. Equal Justice Works Conference & Career Fair is the largest legal conference and career fair in the country. At the conference, one can attend workshops and seminars on issues of public interest. 2Ls and 3Ls can attend table talk at the career fair and schedule interviews for that dream job. Centro Legal is a non profit 501(c)(3) corporation, primarily providing legal representation to the poor and those with limited resources. Centro Legal provides legal advice, referral and services at a reasonable and accessible price in family law, tenant rights, and other areas. The majority of Centro Legal's clients have an income below 125% of the federally determined poverty line. The attorneys in the office represent clients mainly in criminal, family, immigration, and landlord/tenant law. Additionally, many of the attorneys are bilingual, enabling the attorneys to communicate and represent their clients that only speak Spanish. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee is a broad-based immigration legal service project that assists immigrants and their families in completing immigration forms, translates documents required for the INS, provides legal representation in immigration court, provides education to immigrant groups on naturalization, adjustment of status and family-based immigration. Private attorneys are asked to accept an occasional pro bono referral in their area of expertise, including providing legal assistance outside the area of immigration. AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin Legal Services Program provides direct legal representation at no charge to persons living with HIV or AIDS. The LSP provides legal representation for a variety of matters including, but not limited to, estate planning, child custody, child support, guardianships, discrimination, consumer, bankruptcy and insurance disputes. Office of the Wisconsin State Public Defender in Madison seeks to enhance the quality of justice throughout Wisconsin by providing high quality, compassionate, and cost-effective legal representation, protecting the rights of the accused, and advocating as a criminal justice partner for effective defender services and a fair and rational criminal justice system. Chicago Legal Clinic, Inc. seeks to identify legal needs and provide community-based quality legal services and education to the underserved and disadvantaged in the Chicago area, thereby promoting justice through greater access to the legal system. State Public Defenders Office - Milwaukee Trial Division The Public Defender?s Office provides legal representation to indigent clients. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Legal Services is the state agency charged with protecting the state's natural resources and the environment; thus, it is an ideal place to work for those interested in the publicsector of environmental and administrative law. Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc. is the largest staff-based provider of civil legal services for low-income Wisconsin persons. Their priorities are based on the most crucial needs of their clients - safe and affordable housing, adequate income and nutrition, access to health care, preservation of the family and protection from domestic violence. Through direct representation and training and education programs, Legal Action helps clients break the cycle of poverty. The Department of Justice's Office of Consumer Protection investigates and prosecutes violations of state consumer laws, including laws relating to deceptive advertising, credit, charitable solicitations, telecommunications, telemarketing and sales. The Office cooperates with other states, the Federal Trade Commission and other federal agencies in addressing national consumer protection issues. Through litigation, the Office seeks injunctions to stop fraudulent or deceptive practices and recovers monies for injured consumers. The Consumer Protection Office also protects Wisconsin citizens from unfair and deceptive trade practices and provides consumer information and education.
|
