Legal Services, Mediation, & Consumer Services
Better Business Bureau of Detroit and Eastern Michigan
20300 W. Twelve Mile, ste. 202, Southfield • (248) 223–9400, (866) 788–5706
Provides business accreditation services, consumer resolution services, business directory listings, scam alerts, free community speaking engagements, and networking events. Visit bbb.org/consumerhq for useful consumer tips or bbb.org/bizhq for helpful business resources. [email protected], bbb.org/detroit
Civil Criminal Litigation Clinic
801 Monroe, rm. 363 (Legal Research Bldg.) • (734) 763–4319
Free legal services Sept.–Apr. for low-income Washtenaw County residents. Law students supervised by a law professor handle landlord-tenant disputes, consumer cases, and misdemeanor defense cases by appointment. [email protected], law.umich.edu
The Dispute Resolution Center
4133 Washtenaw Ave., ste. B125 • Mailing address: PO Box 8645, AA 48107 • (734) 794–2125
Provides conflict resolution services that are affordable, constructive, restorative, and healing. Offers mediation, restorative circles, and training. Open to residents of Washtenaw and Livingston counties. [email protected], thedisputeresolutioncenter.org V
Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan
PO Box 7825, AA 48107 • (877) 979–3247
Works to end discrimination in housing and public accommodations and to promote accessible, integrated communities. Investigates complaints of discrimination in the rental, sale, or financing of housing. Federal and state laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including sexual harassment, sexual orientation, gender identity, and maternity leave), familial status, disability, income source, marital status, and age. Local ordinances also forbid housing discrimination based on arrest or conviction records, immigration status, and student status. Investigations, undercover testing, advice, advocacy, conciliation, attorney referral, and community education are free to county residents. [email protected], fhcmichigan.org V
Lawyer Referral & Information Service (LRIS) (Washtenaw County Bar Association)
101 E. Huron St., ste. 1111 (Washtenaw County Courthouse) • (734) 996–3229
Helps county residents determine whether they need a lawyer and refers them to one if needed. $30 fee includes 30 minutes of the lawyer’s time. The Family Law Modest Means Program accepts online applications for reduced-cost lawyers ($75/hour) for family law cases. washbar.org
Legal Services of South Central Michigan
15 S. Washington, Ypsilanti • (734) 665–6181
Free civil legal assistance for low-income people and seniors in cases such as landlord-tenant disputes, tax and mortgage foreclosure, public benefits, and consumer issues. Limited services in family law matters. Call for appointment. lsscm.org V
Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) (Michigan Advocacy Program)
15 S. Washington, ste. 201, Ypsilanti • (734) 239–6863
Provides an array of free legal services for non-citizens, including naturalization assistance, representation for victims of crime and survivors of domestic violence, the protection of civil and human rights, and more. michiganimmigrant.org V
Michigan Legal Help (Michigan Advocacy Program)
15 S. Washington, Ypsilanti
Online resource helps people handle simple civil legal problems without a lawyer, including articles to learn about specific areas of the law and toolkits to help prepare for a court appearance. Forms and materials available in English or Spanish. michiganlegalhelp.org V
RISE International Services (Jewish Family Services)
2245 S. State • (734) 769–0209
Offers naturalization application and citizenship education services to eligible legal permanent residents. Free naturalization application services to people of all faiths, in-depth naturalization eligibility screenings, citizenship classes, and advice and assistance in applications, as well as follow up with USCIS. Low-cost help with paperwork, application status tracking, legal advocacy, and support for individuals interested in bringing relatives to the U.S. [email protected], jfsannarbor.org

U-M Student Legal Services
715 North University, ste. 202 • (734) 763–9920
Licensed attorneys provide free legal advice and representation to currently enrolled U-M Ann Arbor students regarding civil, criminal, family, divorce, consumer, probate, and housing/landlord-tenant matters. Also offers advice on immigration law. Request appointment on website. studentlegalservices.umich.edu
Washtenaw County/Eastern Michigan University Legal Resource Center (LRC)
101 E. Huron St., ste. 1112 (Washtenaw County Courthouse) • (734) 994–0160
Free help with court procedures in family law, probate, small claims, and landlord-tenant cases, and free forms for residents representing themselves in court. No criminal matters or appeals. No appointment necessary. Tues.–Thurs. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. emich.edu/engage/communitylink/legal-resource-center